Growing protective workshops and income generation projects
In recent newsletters we reported about the implementation of the Action My Business Growth (AMG) Programme within Epilepsy South Africa. However, this programme was developed specifically for women entrepreneurs and thus did not address our entire target market. With approval from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) we adapted this programme to suit the needs of protective/sheltered workshops for people with disabilities, as well as income generation projects. Protective and sheltered workshops have for many years received bad press as “dumping grounds” that do not economically develop and empower people with disabilities. The new disability version of the AMG Programme aims to provide the necessary skills and strategies to ensure the financial sustainability and growth of these workshops to enhance job security and development opportunities for people with epilepsy and other disabilities. Similarly, income generation projects (often referred to as self-help groups) have done little to provide economic and financial independence for people with disabilities. Reference is often made to the fact that people with disabilities earn very little (if anything) as members of these projects, leading to disillusionment and frustration. The adapted AMG programme offers the opportunity for members of such projects to identify the growth potential of their businesses as a pathway to economic viability and sustainability leading to increased earning potential for the members. While much of the original material was retained, disability-specific information was added and the approach adapted to suit the identified needs. For example, a case study was developed based on an income generation project. It became clear during the adaptation process that facilitators would need to be familiar with the disability sector and especially the needs of people with disabilities. The National Office of Epilepsy South Africa piloted the disability version of the AMG Programme through a workshop held on 5 September 2011 in Cape Town. This workshop formed part of the organisation’s Economic Development Conference on 5 and 6 September 2011. For more information contact Marina Clarke on (021) 595-4900 or via email (economicdev.no@epilepsy.org.za) |
28th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability & Diversity
“Living to Our Complete Potential” Hawaii Convention Center The 28th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity (formerly called the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities) 2012 Living to our Complete Potential March 26th & 27th at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. PacRim is a top rated international educational conference for and from persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and internationally recognized professionals.. Become a part of a historic change! Please contact: prinfo@hawaii.edu (808)956-7539 http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu |
Jubilee Photo Competition: Announcing the Winners
Dear Friends CAMERA PHOTOS: First Prize: US$3,000 Second Prize: US$2,000 Joint Third Prize: US$500 Joint Third Prize: US$500 MOBILE PHONE CATEGORY: First Prize: US$500 Second Prize: US$300 Third Prize: US$200 The judging panel extends its thanks to all those who took part in the competition. All photographs submitted to the competition are now available to view on a special gallery on the website at http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/taskforces/jubilee-photo-competition. Postcards of the winning four photographs in the camera category were available, free of charge, on the IBE stand in the Exhibition Hall during the 29th International Epilepsy Congress, Rome – 28th August – 1st September 2011. Judging panel: Denise Chapman, Shunglon Lai, Susanne Lund, Peter Murphy, Simon Shorvon, Tatsuya Tanaka and Sam Wiebe. |
Assistance required sourcing Candidates with Disabilities
Good day, I am currently seeking persons with disabilities to participate in a one year learnership in the banking and microfinance sector. Interested candidates can visit our website, http://www.kelly.co.za and download an application. Please contact me should you require any further information. Kind Regards Gail Pieterse |
My inspiration to start Living with Heart.
I didn’t have a difficult pregnancy, it was just a busy one, as the older two still needed a lot of my attention. On the 14th of February 2010 I started feeling some contractions. I chatted on Skype with my best friend Lynette and on my cell phone with my other best friend Tash, and we timed my contractions. They were getting closer together so I phoned the hospital. I was told to go for a warm bath and see if that eased the contractions. It didn’t. As my contractions were now three minutes apart, Lynette and Robin came to look after my other two kids while my husband and I headed off to the hospital. I was put on the foetal monitor and it was confirmed that I was in labour. Since I had Caesarean Sections with my other two, it was decided that we should try to stop labour. My gynaecologist worked very hard to make sure Emilee stayed in for as long as possible without trauma, and I was given steroid injections to mature her lungs. But on Friday the 19th of February they decided it was best for Emilee not to wait any longer and she was born weighing 2.5kgs. She had some respiratory distress and went Into NICU. After being home for about 10 days little Emilee got flu, so she went to the paediatrician and was put on antibiotics. Overnight, however, she got worse and it turned out that she had pneumonia. We had to go back to hospital. It was heartbreaking seeing her In the paediatric ward with feeding tubes and hooked up to machines. She also had to have physiotherapy twice a day. During one of these sessions we noticed that her leg jerked strangely, but we were not too concerned. Ten days later we were discharged and went back home. Not long after this I noticed that Emilee was very lethargic and her jerks were coming more frequent. I phoned our paediatrician who met us at the hospital once again. This time she was diagnosed with viral meningitis. After several tests and long days, she was tested for epilepsy. We were discharged again and during her check-up we were told that the results had returned and it was confirmed that Emilee had epilepsy. My heart sank! My older brother had epilepsy and I knew his struggles and I just didn’t know how we were going to cope. All I wanted to do was to fix it! How can such a perfectly pink beautiful baby, my baby Emilee, have this? I felt lost and my world crumbled as there was nothing I could do to make her better. She was put on medication and we were told to keep an eye on her. She was first put on Phenobarbital and did well, but she still jerked a lot. Topamax was added to her treatment, but while on it she stopped eating. It was a struggle just to get her to drink 50mls of milk. She lost weight and her growth was stunted. She was weaned off Topamax and put onto Epilim and Phenobarbital. Finally there was a glimmer of hope! She was drinking, growing and doing well under the circumstances, until December 2010. She started having seizures again. Her eyes would roll back and the jerks were just unbearable. We were once again admitted for tests and her medication was adjusted. Some days went well and others not. It was a roller-coaster of emotions, sleepless nights and constant crying. In June 2011 her medication was changed once again. She is still on Epilim but Keppra has been added to her treatment. While I hold my breath and “touch wood” so far things have been much better. In July 2011 we have had only one seizure that I have seen which is remarkable compared to what it used to be. I have my baby back! She laughs, smiles, babbles and loves giving hugs and kisses. It’s been a miraculous month. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, my friends and Dr Naidoo and Dr Takoordeen and all the mommies on http://www.mommy.co.za for their support. I decided to start living with heart because every day I live with a child with epilepsy. My heart breaks but my heart also smiles. I have learnt to appreciate small things. A simple “mama” with a big smile just makes my day. I would love for parents who live each day with a child suffering from dread disease, illness, syndrome or other problems to connect with other parents going through similar trying times. It’s important for all parents to know you’re not alone and our loved ones are in our hearts during the good times and the bad. With Heart |
People Find job creation initiative
Peopleplus (a division of Talenger Holdings (Pty) Limited) has entered into a partnership with the Department of Labour in Gauteng for the launch of a job creation initiative – PeopleFind. The pilot project was launched in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality on 12 July 2011. The pilot phase will cover the Alberton and Germiston Department of Labour offices and be rolled out to other areas within the Metro and nationally in a phased approach. The purpose of the initiative is to connect job seekers with potential employers by means of technology. Job seekers can approach the Department of Labour offices (Alberton and Germiston) and have their details captured for them by trained employees of the Department and/or access the portal from any PC connected to the Internet on a self-help basis to upload their CV details on a central database. Business can upload unlimited vacancies and undertake as many searches of the database as required in search of staff. All vacancies loaded are immediately available for viewing by individuals accessing the database. The site has full security protecting the identity of both individuals posting their CVs and businesses posting vacancies. Access to details is protected by random codes generated by the system. To load your CV, place a vacancy or search the database pool go to http://www.peopleplus.co.za and click on PeopleFind. The job creation initiative is a FREE SERVICE to both unemployed people and businesses and was put together with the assistance of the Department of Labour, Mustek, Cell C, Talenger Holdings, Peopleplus and SECOB. Businesses wishing to be part of the this initiative can contact Rodney de Villiers on (011) 615-2463 or email him at Rodney@talenger.com |