Project Report
| Sep 21, 2021
Fall 2021 Update
By Lucinda Kerschensteiner | Director
During these demanding times we have developed and grown an online parent network – we celebrated the first birthday of this network in August having grown to over 530 participating parents! The scale of growth and the impact of this network has been remarkable – we share this with you to celebrate and further pay tribute to you for your direct support and trust in the work that we are doing.
We are also pleased to share that following 7 years of engaging with partners and Ministry of Health in Botswana we have been contracted to run a significant wheelchair outreach service, training and wheelchair
provision program which will influence the lives of thousands of children, their families, therapists and community support providers in the region.
We are all working very hard to ensure the sustainability and growth of the work of the Shonaquip Social Enterprise in the months and years to come. If ever there was a time in which our children deserve to be valued, supported, and cared for, it is now. Ongoing reports of ‘lived experience’ of people with disabilities suggests that changing perceptions about disability is fundamental to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the unforeseen challenges of this year, stories of change and hope have emerged as our organization fosters enabling environments, attitudes and systems in support of meaningful participation.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Apr 23, 2021
Adapting during COVID
By Lucinda Kerschensteiner | Director
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Over the last year, the Uhambo staff has worked hard to redevelop a new methodology to their community trainings about disability in South African communities in order to deliver them remotely within the context of COVID-19. In the new reality that requires social distancing and isolation, especially for families with vulnerable children, training and delivery methods have been adapted to enable ongoing support for beneficiaries.These trainings increase awareness of disability inclusion with the aim of promoting attendance of children with disabilities and to participate in play and learning. A benefit of remote engagement is the potential for increased reach of people.
The team re-developed training materials and videos and translated them in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa and seTswana to enable facilitation of remote disability dialogues. The team has worked with a small film production company, translators, and script writers to produce videos, which will aid the discussions and will be shared via partner organisations. Other resources like infographics and posters have also been designed and a scripts developed to facilitate interactive dialogues via WhatsApp.
The "Disability Dialogues" and disability awareness trainings were adapted and took place in the following formats:
- Live interactive disability dialogue on Facebook Live
- Disability Dialogues and awareness on radio
- Facilitated disability dialogues on WhatsApp
- In-person “Let’s Talk Disability” Dialogue
- Parent Network Training
It's been a challening year and many organizations were forced to adapt and pivot. We are proud of our team for finding innovative solutions to continue to serve our communities.
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Dec 23, 2020
Getting through tough times
By Lucinda Kerschensteiner | Director
Support from donors like you is especially critical during this time as our team navigates how to serve communitities and families during the pandemic.
2020 was a challenging year, but we have learned that we can (and have to) adapt to still be able to do what we love – be change makers!
As we look toward 2021, we are empowered by the knowledge gained, and excited that we will continue to deliver seating services and training to the communities we serve, and grow this through remote training and interactions, to capacitate those we cannot physically reach during this time.
Some or the new programs include:
- A Parent Network to stay connected with a network of support, information and referrals across South Africa
- a series of free online sessions on Building Ecosystems for Inclusion will be back in 2021! Watch our social media at the start of next year to sign-up for some of our postponed sessions and the opportunity to attend our repeated, most popular sessions!
Best wishes to all during the holiday season and thank you for your continued support!
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