A new movement to assist people with disabilities, New Horizons Challenged Movement, has seen the light in Uitenhage.
“We have done our research and found that there are quite a few organisations serving the blind and mentally disabled persons in the region, but none that caters for other disabilities,” said Jabu Khame, board member of the New Horizons Challenged Movement.
“That is when we decided to start a movement to include all that are challenged, not excluding anyone, but involving them.
“In KwaNobuhle there are organisations like Share, which assists people with disabilities, but in the northern areas of Uitenhage, especially in the Rosedale, Gerald Smith and Langa neighbourhoods, we lack such facilities,” said Khame.
That is why the registered non-profit organisation New Horizons Challenge Movement has set up office at 93 Phillips Street, Gerald Smith.
“There are so many people with disabilities in our areas and when we reach out to them, some are reluctant, but most want an opportunity to be part of the movement.”
Some of the aspects the movement will focus on include life orientation, skills development, self image and identity restoration. Establishing a support group is part of their future plans.
According to Reece Moses, chairperson of the movement, he has a vision to have an organisation in Uitenhage, focussing on the needs and skills development of people with disabilities.
He was the founder member of the first ever Disability Ambassador Beauty Pageant which was held last year in Uitenhage, where Charmaine Arends, who is wheel-chair bound, was crowned as the Disability Ambassador.
“Apart from our ambassador programme, we have also commenced with a Kimbie Drive, where we distribute adult nappies in support of some of the disabled people who depend on diapers,” said Moses.
“Although we assist these adults with the kimbies, we do not want them to be dependant on us, we try in motivating them by saying we can do something, but we need for you to get up and to be involved.
“It is not about hand-outs, it is our way to reach out and eventually and hopefully get them involved in the community again,” said Moses.
Khame said with their slogan of “This Ability Makes Us One, they wish to spread the message that we are all human beings and there is something that I can share with you. Whether you are blind, or crippled or deaf, there is something that I can learn from you.”
- For more information contact New Horizons Challenged Movement at 071 628 9119 or 082 681 3744.
