The Lonwabo Special Care Centre, a multi-million rand facility for children with physical difficulties, was launched on Tuesday, October 12th in Mfuleni.
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Mfuleni and the surrounding regions are served by the Lonwabo Special Care Centre, which accommodates 28 handicapped children.
The institution was funded by Starting Chance, a non-profit organisation that specialises in Early Childhood Development and the renovation of hut schools in the townships.
The centre’s founder, Thandeka Mafila, called it a “dream come true” for her and the youngsters that attend. It took her 13 years, she claimed, to realise her goal.
“I started the centre at the back of my house in Mfuleni with two children,” Mafila said.
Every year, the number of children who are anticipated to become members of the organisation increases. Mafila claimed that they had 40 children ranging in age from 0 to 18 years old when the epidemic began.
Some of the children were unable to communicate when they first arrived at the centre, but they are now able to communicate since they are playing together.
She stated that the centre employs nine skilled personnel who work with the youngsters.
Ian Corbett, the creator of Starting Chance, defined the facility as a first phase in an interview with City Vision. He estimated the project’s cost to be at R4.6 million.
He described it as a benefit to the Mfuleni people and the neighbouring communities.
It was not an easy undertaking, according to Corbett. The institution, he claims, is particularly created for physically handicapped youngsters.
He stated that the objective of the Starting Chance Center is to offer an opportunity to every kid, regardless of their abilities.
Phase two of the project, according to Corbett, would include the building of a mainstream ECD for 180+ students, inclusive community areas, and a teacher observation classroom.
