Life Journeys to a brighter future
Inclusion does not happen overnight; it takes a lot of time and encouragement. That’s why we spend years supporting disabled people on journeys towards long-term integration within their families and wider society. Utho Ngathi provides support not only through mobility and barrier-free access, but also adopts more holistic approaches in the shape of rehabilitation programmes, regular home visits and integration into projects like the greenhouses and the chicken farm. All of this serves to enable people to play a personal part in their own livelihoods. The objective of this programme – which we call the ‘Life Journey’ – is to allow people to reach their full potential.
Thandeka
We met Thandeka when she was 28 and living in a small village in the Macubeni region. She was sitting on the floor of her mother’s house, with no wheelchair or other aids.
Simamisa
We first met Simamisa on his way to school in an old, poorly maintained wheelchair. He was attending a school for people with disabilities.
Viwe
Viwe, 30 years old, has been severely visually impaired since childhood as a result of meningitis. Thanks to the support of a major German company based in South Africa, she was able to complete a year-long work placement.
Lesego
You have to look twice to notice Lesego’s disability, but it forced him to abandon school in year 7. For him, access to social support and psychotherapeutic counselling was especially important.
Nkosikhona
Nkosikhona was just six years old when we met him. One of his family’s neighbours had informed us that the boy’s grandfather would always have to carry him out of the house.
Zachariah
Zachariah is now 46 years old. Having got to know him five years ago, we supplied him with a special new wheelchair and invited him to participate in our inclusivity project on the Soweto vegetable farm.
