Erica Burger, from Jabulani: Rural Health Foundation did a presentation on the work that Jabulani has been doing. All Jabulani programmes support Montessori principles and are all interlinked to serve the community. In the Zithulele village, Jabulani has created the following initiatives: General hospital support which hosts an ARV and TB programme, making chronic medication more accessible. Community based inclusive development which includes home visits where families are trained to work with cerebral palsy people and children with special needs. The livelihood supports people with disability, enabling these people to provide for their families by teaching them skills that can result in job creation or employment. ECD in the home, assists parents by enabling them to be involved with practical life activities through home visits. Montessori training in ECD centres ensures quality, holistic education for the community. The Jump Start initiative provides developmental skills for men who couldn’t complete their schooling, with mentorship provided by older men who teach skills and offer support. Erica concluded with the statement, ‘attitudes are contagious, is your attitude worth catching?’
