Johannesburg, South Africa- As South Africa commemorates National Cerebral Palsy Month, Malamulele Onward reaffirms its dedication to enhancing the lives of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and their families across South Africa and Lesotho. This month serves as a platform to shine the spotlight on and advocate for the rights and inclusion of individuals living with CP and to promote a culture of support and inclusivity in our diversity.
“Malamulele Onward is built on the foundation of inclusivity through empowerment, and the organisation is rooted in empowering parents and family units to learn and understand the intricacies of CP in order to improve the quality of life of their children with CP,” said Pulane Baloyi, Executive Director of Malamulele Onward. This work is rolled out in partnership with local hospitals and through support from public and private donors.
Through these partnerships, Malamulele Onward collaborates with hospitals and clinics in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as in Lesotho, through its Outreach Mentoring Programme. This initiative involves regular home and site visits by a team of professionals and volunteers who offer clinical supervision, assist in implementing therapy programmes, and support the Carer-2-Carer Training Programme. These efforts are instrumental in developing sustainable, community-based rehabilitation services for children with CP.
Recognising the pivotal role parents and carers play in the development and well-being of children with CP, Malamulele Onward offers the Carer-2-Carer Parent Facilitator programme. This comprehensive programme equips parents and primary carers with the skills to deliver practical guidance to manage their children’s CP types and conditions.
Malamulele Onward also offers a five-day course for parents and carers on CP management. Delivered in multiple languages, the course ensures accessibility for all participants, fostering a network of informed and empowered parents and carers.
To ensure that therapists are well-versed in the latest support methodologies, Malamulele Onward additionally provides a five-day practical course on CP. This training encompasses physiotherapy, nutrition, speech, cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and communication strategies, enabling therapists to deliver effective, holistic care to children with CP in under-resourced settings.
Pulane Baloyi emphasised the significance of these collaborative efforts: “Our partnerships with CP communities across the country are the cornerstone of our mission. The unwavering support from our generous donors, who have embraced our vision, has been vital in extending our reach and impact.”
During this National Cerebral Palsy Month, Malamulele Onward calls upon all parents and carers throughout South Africa seeking support to connect with our sites. “We encourage all parents, friends and relatives of children with CP to commit to empowering those around them with information in order to strengthen the CP network nationally. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every child with CP has the opportunity to thrive,” concluded Baloyi.
For more information or to access support services, please visit www.cpchildren.org.
Article Submitted: Malamulele Onward
