Picture: The Lesedi 7 Group donates R5000 to Sebitloane Special School in Taung/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The principal at Sebitloane Special School in Taung, Boipelo Gloria Mmokwa said, they will continue to bring changes to the children living with disabilities by teaching them different basic life skills. Mmokwa said this will assist them in the future to endure the upheavals of life.
She also urged members of the public to support their cause. This comes after the school received R5000 donation from the Lesedi 7 Group.
“This donation will come in handy because we have twelve learners who will be going to Germany to represent the country in soccer and table tennis. So, the support we received will bring sustainability to the school because the school will be able to buy training kits and shoes for these kids.
“We are deeply grateful to the donors and this shows that, there are individuals who can make a difference to children who are struggling with severe disabilities in our area. We are working directly with various schools and community members to create awareness,” she said.
Mmokwa further said, most people perceived Sebitloane Special School as nothing, but a ‘drop-off’ area. She also urged other learners from various schools to treat their learners well, especially those who use the same transportation as them.
“In most cases, some learners from other schools who use the same transportation as our learners, continue to mock them and that is unacceptable. What people should know is that, Sebitloane offers various skill development programs to these learners and they excel in that.
Mmokwa added that, some of their learners might be intellectually challenged, but they master their crafts in welding, nail techniques, and carpentry. She added that, these learners have managed to open their own small businesses like salons and others.
“So, parents need to understand that most of our learners might be an intellectual challenge, but they can do vocational work. We also have an annual exhibition at the end of the year, where these learners will display their crafts. People come and buy these products. We also have a campaign called Her Nail Beauty Tag, where most people come and do mini and pedicures.
“Yes, we also have learners with autism, those who cannot do what other learners do, but we teach them basic life skills too. This is not the first time our learners going abroad. Eight years ago, two learners went to Los Angeles in the United States of America through cross country,” said Mmokwa.
On 1 June 2023, the school will be having a big send-off celebration and Mmokwa invites community members to display their unwavering support and love to departing learners to Germany.
Meanwhile, the Lesedi 7 Group representative, Tshidi Moreane said: “Our visit to Sebitloane Special School was the same as our other visits to various schools across Taung. The only difference to this one is that, we visited the school that caters to learners with cognitive disabilities. special needs.
“This has been made possible by the Lesedi 7 Group through Tshidi Moreane Foundation. Remember, Lesedi 7 Group is the sponsor of the Taung Annual Gospel Festival and we have also donated R5000 to the school to assist those learners who will be going to Germany.”
Moreane said their main purpose was to speak to these learners and give them moral support. He said they encouraged these learners that, even though they were born with some disabilities, that should not hamper their progress in life.
“We told them that their cognitive disabilities should not hinder their achievements and determine their future. Even though they are attending a special school, they should understand that they are equal to other learners.
“We also want to encourage parents, learners, and the community at large to do away with the stigma. To those parents who have children with disabilities, they should not shy away, instead, come forward.
“In most cases, parents will keep these children with disabilities at home and lock them away. So, we urge them to take them to special schools and unlock their potential. We know that most people will take advantage of people with disabilities, but we should be their voices because they also have human rights like anyone else,” he said.
The Guardian 