Pampers communication manager Jeanne du Plessis and Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre founder and MD Thembekile Prisca Tshabalala at the hand-overThe Nappy Run was established in 2011 by the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) to collect and donate disposable nappies to non-governmental organisations, orphanages, shelters and families in need.
The organisation also works with children with disabilities to integrate them into their communities.
Toiletries company Proctor & Gamble donated the 10 000 nappies to the council; the company has been working with the organisation since 2013 and has since donated R50 000 to it.
On February 11, the council handed over 4 000 nappies to the Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre in the Orlando West area; the organisation was originally named Dimpho (gift in Sotho), but was renamed in honour of Nkanyezi Tshabalala, who had cerebral palsy. Nkanyezi died in September 2000 aged 11.
The centre helps families with disabled children to adequately care for them.
Nkanyezi’s mother, Thembekile Prisca Tshabalala, had promised him she’d continue helping other families with children like him.
“I promised my son that even though he may have a tough time and the possibility of him staying with us may come to an end, he will always live inside my heart and help me take care of other children and their families who suffer from the same fate,” said Tshabalala, who is founder and MD at the centre.
HELPING OTHERS
The Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre in Orlando West, Soweto helps families with disabled children to adequately care for them (Images: Bhekumuzi Mdakane)Jeanne du Plessis, brand communication manager at Procter & Gamble, says, “I think the biggest contributors are the caregivers; some have their own children within this centre and some have volunteered their time to help take care of these lovely children and I think the most inspiring person is Prisca, who learnt from her own child and is now helping other families ever since she started this centre.”
Actor and Nappy Run ambassador, Eloise Cupido, said, “When I heard about the awareness campaign that was happing here I thought to myself, ‘if I can add to this and help other people mostly the able-bodied people aware of the difficulties that these children really go through it would be a stepping stone from one of the things the children need as they too are as equal as me and you’.
“What truly touched me is seeing how many other families are invested in others outside their own homes and I think our country has those kinds of people and if we can show them how to contribute as now people just don’t know where and how to go about giving back or helping.”
PLAY YOUR PART
For more information on the Nappy Run call Danie Botha-Marais on 081 017 5397 or email danie@nappyrun.org.za.
