Philippa Liebenberg, Bizweni Centre, Somerset West
Last week the Bizweni Centre for Children with Disabilities put on our annual “End-of-Year Extravaganza”.
The theme for this year was joy which exuded from the 57 children who performed.
Bizweni Centre is a special needs day care centre for the most amazing, joyful children in the Helderberg Basin.
Our extravaganza is a showcase of the year’s work using songs that the children have loved learning.
Each of the pieces was joyfully sung with gusto, from fun songs like Class 2’s We ride, which spoke about transport, and Class 3’s gorgeous Chapa, Chapa, Rain, Rain, which we are sure brought the rain.
The children had even helped colour and make their beautiful props.
South Africa is currently celebrating Disability Rights Awareness Month, which runs from November 3 to December 3.
The joyful experience that was our concert helps to highlight the need to welcome people with disabilities into every area of society.
“We must stop hiding our children” was one of the recent comments on our Facebook page.
Normal things likes concerts and schooling and trips to the mall should be available for all members of our society, especially the most vulnerable.
One sits in awe watching the children joyfully perform with such determination.
Many of our regular concert supporters, made up of parents, funders, volunteers, friends and family, commented on the growth they could see in the children.
