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Enabling children with disabilities to lead full and happy lives

 

We are Uhambo, an organization that transforms lives and makes opportunities accessible to people with physical disabilities in rural and underdeveloped parts of Africa. Our mission and work directly impacts people with disabilities who are vulnerable and, often times, forgotten.

Our name (Uhambo) means "journey" or "traveling forward" in a South African language, Xhosa. And that's exactly what we're doing. Uhambo USA’s vision is to reduce inequalities and barriers to participation for children with all disabilities. We do this primarily through our focus on parent and caregiver empowerment programs, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Uhambo USA works to support the efforts of Uhambo Foundation NPC trading as the Shonaquip Social Enterprise in Cape Town, South Africa. Our team of community workers, program facilitators, therapists and social workers in South Africa deliver capacity-building programs, disability sensitization, skills training and are referral sources to local support and services.

Our team is committed to advocacy, lobbying and policy development which ensures the empowerment of children with mobility devices, their parents, families, caregivers, supporters and communities. We employ a holistic approach in our community engagement, and our work is interlinked with many other services. We value these partnerships in building an inclusive society.

The Need

An estimated 597,953 South African children with disabilities are currently excluded from education. This is a generation of children who will grow up without basic educational skills, the ability to gain employment or care for themselves.

The problem is exacerbated when one looks at the issues of day care and early childhood development centres for children with disabilities. Without this support, children with disabilities fall even further behind their peers and face even greater odds of being rejected by mainstream schools. On average 43.7% of children with disabilities are in ECD and Day Care Centres. (39.4% in the Western Cape and 46.2% in the Eastern Cape) From experience however the situation is much worse and historical under reporting of children with disabilities is common.

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Uhambo Foundation
Uhambo Foundation
Uhambo Foundation
Uhambo Foundation