Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Support for care centre

A delegation from the Health Department, uThungulu District Municipality and local business Muziwomusa Trading, visited Sinalo Cerebral Palsy Centre to pledge their support

Zululand caregivers must be applauded for their selfless attitude. Addressing Sinalo Cerebral Palsy Centre volunteers in Empangeni, uThungulu Mayor Thembeka Mchunu said, ‘We recognise the daily sacrifices you make to care for these children.’ Last week a delegation from the Health Department and uThungulu District Municipality visited the centre to, among other things, pledge wheelchairs for the centre. One automated and five ordinary wheelchairs have been ordered. Local business Muziwomusa Trading also donated toiletries. Centre founder Ncumisa Makitakita, an occupational therapist at Ngwelezana Hospital, started the centre in an effort to meet the huge need in Zululand. ‘These children need special care and cannot attend regular day care. ‘When I joined the hospital and saw the enormous need, I felt we had to do more,’ said Makitakita. A non-profit organisation under the umbrella of Khanya Africa, they opened the doors in July last year and now have 28 children in their care. Speech therapists, occupational therapists and a doctor regularly volunteer their time to help the centre.