‘Human dignity cannot be fully valued or respected unless individuals are able to develop their… ‘humanness’ to the full extent of its potential. Each human being is uniquely talented.
Part of the dignity of every human being is the fact and awareness of this uniqueness. An individual’s human dignity cannot be fully respected or valued unless the individual is permitted to develop his or her unique talents optimally.’
– J Ackermann, Constitutional Court
and careful planning. And big, no-holds-barred ambition.
We’ve pioneered two programmes for change:
Health & Awareness
Promotion
Everyone deserves to be healthy and happy. We want people living with disabilities to live longer and with dignity. We want them to feel able to contribute to their communities. We’ve done our research, and know that healthcare and mobility are crucial priorities.
Our research helps us raise awareness and offer resources. We share material that promotes disability-related healthcare, and address needs around assistive devices such as wheelchairs. We also form partnerships that allow us to establish regular exercise groups and arrange individual health assessments, so that people can proactively manage their health.
Community & Skills
Development
Nobody should ever feel excluded. We encourage people to participate, and support them with networks of likeminded people. We want to enable those living with disability, by helping them gain experience and skills to sustain themselves financially. We want every person to feel acknowledged, included and supported.
We carry out research that helps us come up with effective campaigns. We share helpful material that promotes human rights. We’ve seen the benefit of forums and support networks that encourage learning and inclusion. We also host workshops to help people develop new skills and build confidence.
The communities we serve
We currently work with four communities in the Cape Winelands, all of which are home to large numbers of people living with disabilities. (We use 1400 disability-grant recipients as a baseline statistic.) These communities also battle poverty and unemployment. Our peer supporters engage with over 300 individuals with disabilities, and we’ve reached out to thousands of community members.
Cloetesville, Stellenbosch
Formally known as Cloetesdal, Cloetesville has a population of over 15,000. The majority of its residents speak Afrikaans. Cloetesville started emerging in 1964, and its first primary school opened in 1969.
Kayamandi, Stellenbosch
Kayamandi means ‘nice home’ in Xhosa. It’s home to over 25,000 people. The majority of its residents speak Xhosa.
Groendal, Franschhoek
Formally known as Le Roux Dorp, Groendal was declared a ‘coloured community’ under the apartheid regime. Around 7,500 people live in Groendal and its surrounds, and mostly speak Afrikaans.
Macassar, Helderberg
Over 30,000 people live in Macassar, in a 29 square-kilometre radius. Most of its residents speak Afrikaans.