Trainer Taarik Stokes uses sport and service to inspire the Wentworth community

As Mandela Month concludes, organizations working directly in the most vulnerable areas of Gauteng are strongly urging South Africans not to cease charitable giving after July, emphasizing that children experiencing violence and trauma require daily support.

Activity in Westbury

This sentiment was reflected on July 29th when The Star, in collaboration with the Hope SA Foundation, donated hygiene kits to 95 children at the Slovo Centre of Excellence. This early childhood development center provides educational support, daily meals, and after-school care for children from the surrounding community.

Community Challenges

Despite this initiative being part of Mandela Month, local leaders stated that the most serious issues facing children in Westbury cannot be solved solely through one-off events. The Together Action Group (TAG), which has served Westbury and neighboring areas for 25 years, notes that violence and the emotional impact of these issues have become major difficulties for families in the area.

Operations Manager Rhoda van Buren reported that the organization continues to provide daily support—including homework assistance, nutrition, and developmental programs—to about 80–90 children. However, many of these children arrive carrying a heavy emotional burden caused by the violence occurring around them. Van Buren cited an example, noting that five shootings occurred in just that week, and another person was killed the following morning.

Need for Psychological Support

She stressed that children are increasingly subjected to early-life violence, making access to emotional and psychological support as vital as receiving food and education. Van Buren pointed to a shortage of social workers needed to support traumatized children. While organizations often receive donations in the form of food and clothing, support that helps children cope with trauma remains extremely limited.

Calls to Action

The head of the Hope SA Foundation, Namrita Sivasankar, noted that the challenges faced by Westbury mirror those of many vulnerable communities across South Africa, where NGOs are forced to fill gaps with limited resources. She added that the government must address these issues, as the organization itself receives no support from the Department of Social Development. Sivasankar insisted that Mandela Day should stimulate long-term action, not just one-time gestures, calling for it to become a daily practice rather than merely a subject for media photos and social media posts.

She urged South Africans to continue helping in any way possible, asserting that significant change often begins with small acts of kindness, and advised people to start acting without waiting for a lottery win.

Future of Partnership

Both organizations expressed hope that their collaboration will encourage individuals, businesses, and communities to continue supporting vulnerable children long after Mandela Month concludes.

For many people with intellectual and developmental differences, education provides structure, friendship, and purpose. However, after school, adult life often brings uncertainty due to a lack of opportunities for work, belonging, or building an independent life.

The Initiative to Create Mann

Young educators working in the field of disability inclusion—Beverly Lewis, Dilshad Mehershahi, and Gitanjali Gaur—began their journey by observing how students their age faced diminishing prospects. This prompted them to question why disability should define a person's future.

This question led them to establish Mann in Mumbai in 2011. Initially, the goal was not to find jobs, but to help young adults regain self-confidence, make friends, establish routines, and prepare for life outside of educational settings.

The Importance of Dignity and Self-Esteem

As Gitanjali notes, 'It was about living a full adult life—making friends, building routines, developing independence, and feeling that you have a place in the world.' When graduates started assisting teachers, the founders noticed a striking phenomenon: work changed how people perceived themselves and how families treated them. Beverly realized that 'employment is not just income. It is dignity and identity.'

Many people with higher support needs still struggled to remain in conventional workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic, which suddenly destroyed jobs, erased years of progress, exposing the fragility of inclusion.

The Birth of Karmann and New Opportunities

A conversation with a mentor changed their approach. He asked why they were waiting for inclusive employers when they could create them themselves. This question became the catalyst for Karmann's emergence.

Launched in 2022, Karmann transforms discarded textile waste into useful household items. Each artisan first undergoes training at Mann before moving on to paid work, ensuring a smooth transition from learning to earning.

Work Results

Master artisan Akanksha Khatre says that every stitch means more to her than just a job. 'Knowing that I have turned waste into something that someone will use every day gives me pride,' she shares.

Together, Mann and Karmann prove that sustainable inclusion begins when people are trusted to build their own futures. Karmann has already recycled over 10,000 kg of textile waste, generated revenue of 2 crore rupees, and employs 50 people with disabilities.

The Uzbekistan Migration Agency issued an official statement regarding the checks conducted on July 27 at a construction site in the Ochakovo-Matveevsky district of Moscow.

Reaction to the Incident

After video footage of the control measures appeared in the media, employees of the Migration Agency's representative office in Russia immediately went to the site to clarify the circumstances. Preliminary data indicates that over 320 foreign citizens were working at the construction site, including citizens of Uzbekistan.

Investigation Process and Support

The Agency reported that it is currently conducting a legal assessment of the incident together with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the Russian Federation. More detailed information about the results of the inspection will be provided later.

The Migration Agency reminded that it is the authorized state body responsible for protecting the labor and other legal rights of Uzbek citizens abroad. Citizens who believe their rights were violated during the checks or for other reasons are advised to contact the agency.

If necessary, attorney fees can be reimbursed from the Migration Fund up to $3,000. According to the department's data, the agency cooperates with more than 15 law firms across Russia. Additionally, citizens may be provided with free temporary accommodation for up to 30 days.