Heart FM gives back to communities
WITH 13 members living with physical disabilities, Ability House, which is part of the Overberg Wheelchair Association, received two wheelchair ramps courtesy of Heart FM’s #16DaysForYouth initiative.
Association development facilitator Alda du Plooy said Ability House in Hawston was a protective workshop for youth and adults, aged 20 to 70, with physical disabilities.
“We have 50 members from our three branches who create products such as natural soaps and other products from recyclable materials. The money collected from the selling of the materials is then redistributed to the crafters.”
Through this initiative, the association hopes to create employment for people living with disabilities. “We want to empower them so that they do not feel isolated and neglected,” said Du Plooy.
Local wheelchair basketball player Franco Smith, 31, said he was thankful IN THE MIX: The Heart FM Breakfast team Aden Thomas, Tapfuma Makina, left, and Julian Naidoo mix concrete to build an access ramp. for the #16DaysForYouth initiative as it recognised his community.
“I’m very happy they built the ramps because it makes moving around easier.”
Smith, who has been in a wheelchair for 16 years, helps at Ability House and hopes the new ramps will attract more people.
“People living with disabilities often feel discouraged because they struggle to move around the area,” he said.
Community member Theresa Theunisen, 34, heard about the initiative and decided to lend a helping hand.
“Hawston has a high-unemployment rate, especially for the disabled, so this centre not only helps create jobs but helps bring the community together,” she said.