Elizabeth’s Story: “Asiphe is like all other children”
By Siyakwazi |
Asiphe*, an 11-year-old girl from KwaNzimakwe, has faced significant challenges due to her diagnoses of microcephaly, global developmental delay (GDD), epilepsy, and ataxia. Throughout her journey, she has been lovingly supported by her 62-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth, who has been her steadfast guardian and caregiver since she was a baby. From the very beginning, Elizabeth noticed…
Read More A Testament to Commitment: Dlukulwane Primary School’s Partnership with Siyakwazi
By Siyakwazi |
Siyakwazi’s journey with Dlukulwane Primary School in KwaXolo began in 2023 when we first met *Bongani, a child with a learning disability who had been referred to the Inclusion Programme. Though Siyakwazi had not yet established a partnership with the school, it was clear that the teachers, especially Mrs Mseleku, were dedicated to addressing barriers…
Read More Fiki’s Story: A Voice for Children with Disabilities
By Siyakwazi |
Fikelephi Ngeleka, known as Fiki, is a 29-year-old therapy assistant and Siyasiza at Siyakwazi, making significant strides in the communities of KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo. With an Early Childhood Development Level 4 qualification, Fiki’s journey has not only been about her professional growth but also about personal resilience and acceptance. Fiki’s introduction to Siyakwazi came during…
Read More Support for Babies: Nurturing Development in the Early Years
By Siyakwazi |
In the tender years from birth to two years old, every smile, touch, and word carries immense significance. Siyakwazi has seen firsthand that many families are often unaware of a child’s innate ability to learn from such an early age. Through Siyakwazi’s Early Learning Programme, home visits – already 736 completed in 2024 for 150…
Read More DISABILITY RIGHTS AWARENESS MONTH – UNDERSTANDING DISABILITIES: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE CHALLENGES
By Siyakwazi |
PRESS RELEASE KwaNzimakwe, South Africa – In recognition of Disability Rights Awareness Month (3 Nov–3 Dec), Siyakwazi, a local non-profit organisation, aims to raise awareness about the diversity of disabilities, including those that may not be immediately visible. Disabilities can affect a person’s physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental functions and may be present from birth, be…
Read More Siyakwazi Takes a Stand for Disability Rights Awareness Month – Advocating for a More Inclusive Society
By Siyakwazi |
PRESS RELEASE KwaNzimakwe, South Africa – November is Disability Rights Awareness Month, a time to not only reflect on the progress made for individuals with disabilities but also to renew our collective commitment to building a more inclusive society. Siyakwazi, a community-based nonprofit organisation near Munster, is at the forefront of this cause on the…
Read More From Threads to Triumph: Siyakwazi’s Sewing Hub Upskills Families Through Creative Innovation
By Siyakwazi |
For many guardians and family members having a child with a disability often means becoming a full-time caregiver. This shift in responsibility can limit or entirely eliminate opportunities for work, making it difficult to support the household. With the mounting costs of raising a child with a disability, families are often at a loss about…
Read More Bridging the Gap: How #ProjectAccess is Transforming Disability Support in Greater Ugu
By Siyakwazi |
#ProjectAccess is a collaboration between physiotherapists at Port Shepstone Hospital and Siyakwazi’s therapy team. This working group is united by a singular goal: to increase access to therapy services for children with disabilities by upskilling community healthcare workers (CHW) on the ground. The initiative, which launched at the beginning of 2024, aims to encourage a…
Read More Mthini Primary School’s Inspiring Journey with Siyakwazi’s School Readiness Programme
By Siyakwazi |
Siyakwazi began partnering with Mthini Primary School in 2020, making it the second school in the KwaXolo tribal authority to benefit from our support. This collaboration marked a significant milestone for Siyakwazi, as over the years Mthini Primary has consistently shown a high need for focused intervention, with a substantial number of children at risk…
Read More Parent Support in action: Nomfundo & Owami’s ASD journey
By Siyakwazi |
Owami* (5) has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and he joined the Inclusion Programme in 2021. Siyakwazi has supported Owami’s enrollment to a local private Special Education Needs (SEN) school since 2023. Thanks to sponsorships from this school, Owami is able to attend a school with specialised classes and teaching plans that take into account his unique…
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