Arekopaneng Disability Support Group at the Nappy Run 2024 held recently at Johannesburg Zoo
By Simon Manda
JOHANNESBURG – The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) held its yearly Nappy Run at the Johannesburg Zoo on November 2, 2024. The Arekopaneng Disability Support Group from Orange Farm took part, along with hundreds of other people.
A lot of people from the community supported and took part in the cornerstone event, which aims to help children and adults with disabilities who desperately need nappies. The participants from our support group who attended were children and young adults accompanied by their parents.
Case Administrator at Arekopaneng Centre in Orange Farm, Maria Mashimbye, stressed the importance of the event: “Representing our group at the Nappy Run is very important to us because many of the families in our group have children and teens with disabilities, and the donations of nappies and other things help them a lot.” Our involvement today gives hope to the many families we help at Arekopaneng Centre who need help with continence care every day.
Nappy needs for children and adults with disabilities are still a big problem in South Africa, where many families cannot afford to buy everything, they need. Adult and kid nappies can cost more than R1,000 a month, which is a big financial burden for families who are already having a hard time paying for medical bills and care.
“Through events like the Nappy Run, we are not only collecting essential supplies but also raising awareness about the daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities,” Mashimbye said. “The dignity and comfort that comes with having access to proper care products cannot be understated.”
The NCPD’s Nappy Run program has grown a lot since it started, which shows that more and more people are realising how important this need is. The event mixes exercise with a social goal, encouraging people to help while enjoying the beautiful routes through the Johannesburg Zoo.
Mpho Vumendlini and Lucky Sithole, two young adults from the support group at the Arekopaneng Centre, said they were excited to go to the event again in the future because it made them happy to support the cause with their parents. It was Lucky’s third time attending the event, and Mpho was going for the second time.
The event this year raised money and supplies that will be used by disability support groups across the country to make sure that children and adults get what they need.
The NCPD is still pushing for all South Africans with disabilities to have easier access to basic care items and support services.
