Orange Farm Library, in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg’s e-Learning Services and Social Development, hosted a group of over 20 senior citizens.
The event aimed to raise awareness about people living with disabilities and celebrate their participation in the Digital Literacy programme, where more than 10 of them have written stories and learned basic computer skills.
The event included an educational presentation by Social Development on the types of services offered by the City of Johannesburg’s social workers and the relevant networks for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Attendees were given a platform to share their experiences of living with disabilities or caring for family members with disabilities. Their stories highlighted the diverse nature of disabilities, including:
- A parent whose daughter became physically and mentally challenged at the age of 9 after a fall, but who now maintains a positive spirit and simply needs access to opportunities.
- A woman whose child lost some of their senses due to beliefs about dark magic, but who persevered to become a university student.
- A pensioner who was in a terrible car accident and now uses a wheelchair.
- A teenager who is a skilled jeweller and needs support to start their own jewellery-making business.
All these stories are unique, and the affected communities deserve support and care as integral members of an inclusive society. The event also served as an early Christmas celebration for the senior citizens, with food packs from Social Development and gifts from Gold Fields Mines, a Region G CSI partner.
Some of the 10 stories from the Senior Citizens Digital Literacy class group will be used in the 2025 Mobireadathon High Schools Competition. Digital Literacy for Senior Citizens will continue in Orange Farm in 2025.
Written by Ayanda Radebe
06/12/24
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