Choko disability centre empowers children

In a country where the government embraced the enormous challenges faced by people with disabilities, life has not been easy for them, not to mention children. The recent introduction of a Ministry for Women, Children and People with disabilities has so far resulted in little change taking place because of protracted backlogs in addressing their plight by government. The Choko Educare Centre for the Disabled is just one of its kind in Kodumela (Limpopo, South Africa). 

The centre was built in 2008 after James and Bev Butler, from Cholsey, UK – who were visiting a child they sponsor through World Vision in Kodumela – saw the plight of children with disabilities in the area. These children were squashed in an old, small church building that was like a sauna in summer and an icebox in winter. This is where the children had to spend their days every day during the week, to attend classes. 

The Butlers made a donation, and on their return home, they decided to fundraise to improve the lives of people in Kodumela. The two villages Cholsey and Kodumela became twinned, and formed a relationship called ‘Choko’. It is these funds, channelled through World Vision, that made it possible for the special children to get a properly built, semi-furnished centre. 

Catering to more than 10 surrounding villages, the six-room homey and secure centre provides all-day care and food to the needy children, who are between the ages of two and 18. The children’s disabilities range from mild physical and mental disorders to severe incapacitation. 

Centre run entirely by volunteers

The World Vision Kodumela area development programme (ADP) has the overall responsibility of running of the centre. However, the ADP is not always able to meet all the daily expenses, such as purchasing food and electricity. Volunteers from the community therefore help to run and manage the centre. Given how poverty-stricken the area is, it is impossible for the unemployed parents to contribute money toward the centre, thus they have decided to give their time. 

The centre still needs minor repairs and more toilets are needed; study materials are also very limited, but its founder, Agnes Mashumu, is grateful for what has been achieved through Cholsey funding so far. “Cholsey people are our source of hope. We depend solely on their generosity,” says Agnes. She adds that this initiative would have long died if it had not been for the contributions of the people of Cholsey. 

Water scarcity is another big problem in this area. With the assistance from the local stakeholders through World Vision, the Choko Educare Centre for the Disabled now has access to water and electricity, although still limited. The community also runs a community garden and a poultry project from the centre. These two profit-making endeavours enable parents to provide children with basic needs such as good health, education, protection and shelter. 

The centre provides more than constant care – it’s a safe haven. All too often stigmatised by society and cowered into silence, these disabled children radiate confidence and happiness. Many of them can perform tasks that some of their counterparts at privately funded special needs schools have never accomplished, such as reading, counting and dancing.