By Thomo Nkgadima
news@alexreporter.co.za
A Limpopo young man with profound compassion for handicapped children has built a home for them.
He recently won R50,000 at the Collen Mashawane Annual Awards.
The ceremony recognizes top heroes and heroines for their efforts to enhance the quality of life in their communities.
Elvis Seroka quit his job as a mine operator in 2013 at Impala Platinum Mine to open a centre for children with disabilities.
He opened a centre for disabled children at the age of 26 in his mom’s house.
His younger sister, Kgotlelelo (19) was born with permanent disability. She has a rare disease known as autism.
In 2016, his mother, Mailane (51), left her family home to build a new home in the village of Ga-Moretsele, near Jane Furse, to pave the way for the centre.
Mailane said her daughter can’t wall and uses naps to relieve herself as she delayed to develop mentally.
The complication and medical condition of his younger sister prompted him to help families in similar situations and take care of their children.
Elvis said that he made a conscious decision to help many families who have disabled children.
“My goal is to alleviate their stress and allow them to live their normal lives and do their home chores. I also wanted it to be easy for the members who needed jobs to go and look for them without stress.”
The 32-year-old of Ngwanamatlang village near a small developing town of Jane Furse in Limpopo is the founder of Maretlagadi Welfare Centre.
He says the center supports many families because it has become a safer home for the development of their children living with a disability.
“We have taken in 18 children and the center is certified to accommodate 23 by the Department of Health and Social Development,” said Elvis.
Many children rely on the centre for social interaction with other children with disabilities. They receive appropriate care and physical training.
“It’s a place they can bath, sleep, rest and eat while we take care of them,” he said.
The management uses online research, YouTube tutorials and training knowledge provided by professionals it consults regularly for guidance.
The main challenge of the centre is a lack of funding.
It survives on social disability grant contribution from parents who bring their children to the centre.
It also relies on donations from generous individuals and business owners who donate food parcels , toiletries and electricity for the operation of the centre.