Disabled learners get a helping hand

LEPHALALE – Sedibeng combined school received a very welcome helping hand from Exxaro with the official handing over of 30 iPads and a vegetable garden on Friday, 2 October.
The school consists of 27 deaf learners and 80 other learners with disabilities ranging from severe mental disabilities, autism, and cerebral palsy to learning disabilities.
According to Karen Hart, iSchool Africa facilitator, they heard that most of the deaf learners at the school came from very poor households. “Some of these children arrive at school with no concept of language at an advanced age which makes it difficult for them to get any real learning done.”
Hart also said that because of the generous donation by Exxaro they were able to provide an iPad for every deaf learner. “Because of the donation we did not need to compromise on the quality of the equipment and were able to obtain the best of the best.”
Bone Minnaar, the principal of Sedibeng, said that they are extremely grateful for the donation and has already started to see immense improvements in their learners. “I believe that our gratitude will be seen in the results achieved by our learners.”
Exxaro also sponsored a vegetable garden that is aimed at increasing the vocational training of the learners. Mr Derek Olivier is in charge of this garden that is planted at the back of the school. “Every learner in the school took part in planting this garden that will eventually provide vegetables to our hostel.”
Olivier said that in addition to the vegetable garden he would also like to establish a chicken coop on the premises. “At this stage we have limited funding but, as a school, we realize that it is of the utmost importance to equip our learners with skills that they can use to make a living once they leave Sedibeng.”