Thandeka's Story

Based in the Eastern Cape, NMCF's partner is Rehab which is led by energetic and committed people. Thandeka Manakaza is the facilitator of the inclusive education programme which champions the cause of disabled children and negotiates their entry into mainstream education.

Thandeka's role is varied and intensive. She negotiates with the school and parents and works with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to ensure that the children get both therapy and practical aids to help them.

The impact on children is already clear:

Two years ago Ayanda, now aged 7, could not sit up, which severely limited his chances of engaging with any educational or play activites. He received both occupational and physiotherapy through Rehab, with the result that he is now able to sit unaided, hold a pencil and engage with the same activities as his classmates. We saw a smiling happy boy who is the only disabled child in the class, but has friends who play with him and help him. His teachers are delighted with the way that he has integrated into the school, and the input from Rehab has clearly helped his situation enormously.

Fanana is 7 and a wheelchair user. She lives in a township area in Eastern Cape that presents many challenges in terms of accessibility. Fanana's mother sometimes had to fold and carry the wheelchair with her daughter supported on her back, as the roads became impassable in the driving rain.

Fanana is soon to join a local school following Rehab intervention.

The Head Teacher of the school was very honest about the challenges that the dilapilated school buildings posed for both able and in particular, disabled children.

However, they were working to resolve these on a very pratical level, and stated clearly "We love Fanana, we want to educate her".

These wonderful words are a real credit to the work of Thandeka and Rehab and the support received from NMCF.