INCLUSIVE ECD HUBS PILOT PUTS WHEELS IN MOTION FOR SANDILE

Siyakwazi’s Inclusion programme, interventions and resources for children with disabilities is reaching new Ugu areas to support more children than ever before.

We met Sandile*(6) when Junior Educare Creche in Murchison signed up to Siyakwazi’s Inclusive ECD Hubs pilot programme. Sandile’s teacher has always been passionate about including children with disabilities at her ECD centre, but unfortunately Sandile’s participation in the classroom was limited by the lack of an assistive device for mobility and positioning. Without a means to get around and not being physically positioned in a way to support participation, Sandile’s involvement in schooling and his ability to receive therapy was limited and stunting his progress.

Through Siyakwazi’s Inclusive ECD Hubs pilot programme, we were able to assist Sandile’s parents and get him a wheelchair. He adores his teacher and participates happily singing rhymes, communicating with his classmates and moving independently around the classroom and school grounds. Not only that, Sandile now attends therapy regularly and is accessing further clinic services to improve his overall health. 

Welcoming Junior Educare Creche to Siyakwazi’s Inclusion Programme

Sandile, his family and his ECD practitioner, Mrs Nyembezi, were among the first to receive support from Siyakwazi when we welcomed Junior Educare Creche to trial our Inclusion Programme in 2022. As a result our team is thrilled to report that by implementing Siyakwazi’s programme during the pilot, we were able to make meaningful inroads to help Sandile’s entire support network, which is the true aim of holistic intervention. 

“We discovered that when Sandile was younger, he had a buggy from the local clinic,” explains Nosipho, our fieldworker assigned to support Sandile. “But as he got older he outgrew the device. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and many services at local clinics were stopped for some time so Sandile’s family was unable to get a replacement.” 

Getting a wheelchair for Sandile would be life-changing. Everyone we spoke to told us the same thing, it was crucial for Sandile to get a wheelchair if he was to develop, participate and progress – not only at home, but alongside his peers at creche too. Mrs Nyembezi told us how important it was for Sandile to be involved in all aspects of school, but especially having the means to play outside with other children to help him form friendships and enjoy the benefits of outdoor stimulation. 

Time to get wheels

Mrs Nymebezi’s support was invaluable as we worked behind-the-scenes to get Sandile on the move. She mediated between Sandile’s family and our team to gather all the relevant information needed to write, submit and track clinic referral letters – something his family was struggling to do alone. 

During one of our recent visits with Sandile’s family, his mother expressed immense joy and gratitude, saying: “Ngajabula kakhulu ngoba kwakuyisifiso sami ukuthi ayithole”. It had always been her wish for her son to have a wheelchair. 

Today, with his very own wheelchair, Sandile can attend creche and rehabilitation sessions at the local clinic for physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. Keeping up with these appointments are critical for his development but also to identify other areas where Sandile may need help – such as optometrist visits, which he has since received after his mother raised concerns about his eyes. 

All moving in the same direction

Another lesson during this process has been how best to encourage consistency of care for Sandile in all environments. The triangular support he receives from family, at Junior Educare Creche and through clinic services all need to be moving in the same direction, which is only possible through open lines of communication. 

“Sandile has to wear special shoes to support the correct positioning of his feet,” explains Nosipho. But when he first started attending creche, Mrs Nyembezi would remove his shoes because she assumed they made him uncomfortable. 

Nosipho continues: “After speaking with Sandile’s mother it became clear that his shoes are part of his therapy programme and that he needs to wear them all the time. We explained to his mother that it’s important she shares this kind of information with Mrs Nymebezi.” 

Mama knows best

Sandile’s mother has been an exemplary advocate for her son and her determination to seek out educational opportunities, despite his disability, speaks volumes of her commitment to providing the best possible care. She ends our visit by telling us that even though Junior Educare Creche is very far from where they live, she knows Mrs Nyembezi takes good care of children – and that tells us everything we need to know. 

We believe all ECD practitioners can be upskilled to become ‘Inclusion Champions’. By upskilling ECD practitioners outside of our usual catchment areas to do the work of our fieldworkers remotely, we are proactively identifying and supporting children like Sandile who may otherwise be overlooked or fall behind.

Our dream is to see every ECD centre in Ugu functioning as a hub for inclusion with ECD practitioners who are equipped and confident to support children with disabilities up to five years of age. Early intervention at this crucial age of development will provide the strong foundation needed for them to transition into primary school, and ultimately enable them to reach their full potential.

For more information, read part one of our Inclusive ECD Hubs blog here. Or contact Nontuthuko on 071 047 7305 to learn more about Siyakwazi’s Inclusion Champions or the Inclusive ECD Hubs Pilot Programme. 

*Name changed to protect privacy