This programme aims to equip people with epilepsy and those affected by the condition with information that would improve their quality of life.  The intake social worker renders counseling services to individuals and their families.  Presenting problems include the following:

• ¨ Acceptance of the diagnosis
• ¨ Information about epilepsy and lifestyle management
• ¨ Psycho-social impact of the condition on the individual and the family
• ¨ Epilepsy management
• ¨ Discrimination at schools and places of employment
• ¨ Assistance with social security and employment
• ¨ Social support and linkages to resources

Support groups have been formed in response to common needs.  The following groups are facilitated in a regular basis:

• ¨ Khayelitsha Special School Parent Support

This group consists of parents of children who have epilepsy and any other interested community members.  The aim of this group is to provide them with information regarding the management of epilepsy and the promotion of inclusion in society. The children attend at the school, and so each year, new parents join the group, as new children join the school.  A social worker facilitates the group and they meet once per month at the school.  Some of the unemployed parents have been incorporated into our income generating projects for economic sustainability and empowerment. 

• ¨ Nompumelelo Special School Parent Support

This group consists of parents of children with epilepsy who attend Nompumelelo Special School.  The aim of the group is to provide the parents with information regarding the management of epilepsy and the promotion of inclusion in society.  A social worker facilitates the group and they meet once per month at the school. 

• ¨ Northern Suburbs Support Group

This group is made up of clients who reside in the Northern Suburbs, mainly Elsies River and the surrounds.  The group meets once per month at the Elsies River Community Library.

• ¨ Epicare Social Support Groups for Adults

Epicare Social Support groups in Cape Town and Mitchell's Plain are facilitated and managed by volunteers.  These groups meet once a month.

1.  Community Health Care Programme

Through needs analysis and various information gathering processes, we have found that there is a need for epilepsy information to be distributed at Community Health Centers as this is where the majority of people with epilepsy are managed.  Besides receiving valuable information about epilepsy at these talks, clients also receive individual counseling.  Initially monthly awareness and outreach programmes were provided in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu.  Because of the positive impact of the programme, Epilepsy South Africa has expanded the service to other under serviced areas in the Cape Metropole and rural areas.  To date, we are active at the following Community Health Centers:  Elsiesriver, Mitchell's Plain, Reed Street, Kleinvlei, Vanguard, Khayelitsha, Michael Mapongwana, Nolungile and Gugulethu. Due to staff shortages, we have had to temporarily stop services in the much needed township areas.

2. Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Programme

Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital

Red Cross Hospital renders services to children throughout the province, and they have an Epilepsy Clinic which is held on a Wednesday.  A social worker goes there once a month, and is given the opportunity to inform parents about epilepsy and the management of the condition, to disseminate information amongst the parents, and to refer parents, where necessary, to resources in the communities.

Outreach services are also rendered at Eersteriver Hospital.

The public education and awareness programme remains our primary pillar of intervention and it is aimed at the promotion of inclusion in education, workplace and the community. The programmes are sector specific and the organisation works in collaboration with all role players who have a common vision.

A partnership was formed with the Metro District Health Services Human Resource Development Office. This office covers the Metro District area, arranging training opportunities for staff of Community health Centres and District hospitals which aims to improve their skills

Our involvement with the health sector, specifically the Community Health Centres have also expanded.

The corporate sector still remains a priority for the organisation and this year we aim to intensify our efforts towards the promotion of people with epilepsy in the open labour market.

The branch produced an academic poster outlining our focus on training, which has sparked an interest and subsequently we are receiving requests to have it placed at schools to promote the benefits of inclusive education.

Epilepsy information is further disseminated through exhibitions and the media. Public education and training is further intensified during Epilepsy Week which takes place in June of each year and includes candle lighting ceremonies held on National Epilepsy Day, 21st June.

A highlight during 2007 was the Epilepsy Seminar, an important milestone for the regional office team to undertake, as it was the first of its kind in the Western Cape. The chosen venue was the UCT Law Faculty, and we managed to attract in excess of 120 attendees. Guests included delegates from civil society, special schools, and other organisations. We were blessed to have speakers such Professor Eastman, Dr. Butler , Prof. Wilmshurst, Psychologists, Jackie Bean and Elspeth Burke and Tim de Villiers, chairperson of Epicare Cape town - and a person with epilepsy . A broad spectrum of aspects was covered.

Youth Empowerment

The aim of the programme is to promote a supportive educational environment within which the learner could develop a positive sense of self and independence. The life skills training programme incorporated the following aspects of epilepsy and behaviour management:

• Information on epilepsy
• Practical guidelines for the management of epilepsy
• Psychosocial impact of epilepsy on the behaviour and emotional development
• Self esteem
• Supportive discipline
• Stress management
• Conflict management
• Communication and problem solving

The organisation aims to implement the programme at both mainstream and schools for learners with special needs.

Public education and training programmes are presented in the rural areas to address discrimination and exclusion of people with epilepsy and related disabilities. A macro level approach towards intervention is offered to people and organisations.

The aim is to transfer skills to existing service providers that would enable them to render a holistic service to their communities. Our intervention includes presentations, media campaigns, and linkages with key stakeholders.

Monthly awareness and outreach programmes are facilitated at the Community Health Care Centres in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Philippi, Bellville, Cape Town areas etc. Clients attending the Epilepsy Clinics further receive individual counselling at the community-based facilities. This programme has been extended to the broader southern and northern suburbs.

Individual volunteers are recruited and trained in lay counselling, social support, epilepsy education and management. These volunteers form an integral part of our services and are involved in our counselling, training and educational programmes.

Trading as: Care Craft, “Quality People, Quality Products”

Care Craft Workshops provide a holistic economic empowerment programme that incorporates both economic and social development. They strive towards economic sustainability through the production of quality products and sound business principles and practice.

Social development programmes ensures the holistic development of people with epilepsy and other disabilities. The workers at the workshop are engaged in various programmes that develops life skills and improved quality of life. They are involved in decision making through the worker committee and in operational procedures and practice such as the occupational health and safety committees. Life skills programmes such as the provision of literacy and numeracy programmes, development of social skills and individual social support and advocacy programmes empowers the workers to lead productive lives and to participate meaningfully in all spheres of society.

Care Craft Lansdowne provides employment opportunities for people with epilepsy and other disabilities. The workshop manufactures quality pine furniture and household accessories. The contracts division makes provision for people with disabilities who do not possess the skills for production in the furniture division.

Care Craft Wellington is situated in Wellington and provides employment opportunities for people with epilepsy and other disabilities. The workshop manufactures a pet care range such as dog kennels, rabbit hutches and chicken pens. It is also renowned for the production of gift boxes and custom design wine boxes that are sold to various wineries in the Boland and Overberg regions.

The workshop has become a key service provider in the under-serviced Overberg region and plays a major role in the provision of employment for people of all disabilities. People without disabilities from the surrounding rural communities are also accommodated when possible into the programme.

Care Craft Mitchells Plain provides employment for the community and their focus of production is contract work received from the business sector. The workers are remunerated on a weekly basis dependent on the level of functioning and participation in the production process.

The projects, which are based in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Lansdowne and Mitchells Plain, aim to provide members with opportunities for both social and economic development. The principles underpinning income generation programmes are skills training, development, capacity building and self-reliance.

• The Gugulethu Project (Sinako)
  The group is self-managed and the members are involved in contract work. Because the members have varying levels of occupational functioning, the focus is not solely on production but also on the social value that the project provides. Through their participation in the project, members are afforded opportunities for personal and social development. The project accommodates ten/fifteen members.
• The Khayelitsha Project (Masiphathisane)
  The project is renowned for the creation of African and Kelim hand woven rugs. The project produces mats and other products such as hand hooked cushion covers that are sold at local markets. Customised corporate logos are women on commission.  The weavers has adopted the rotational leadership model that ensures that all members are skilled in the various aspects of group and project management.  The weavers are skilled in their craft and would be involved be involved in the training of unemployed women in other areas.  The aim is to produce weaving circles that will market their products collectively.

NEW INCOME GENERATION PROJECT

The Zulu Mama Project

The project was initiated in June 2007 when our organisation was approached by a renowned South African interior designer, Haldane Martin to teach our current weavers the Zulu weaving technique.

Haldane designed a chair that required hand woven insets.  Six weavers were trained for a period of time and four have successfully mastered the technique.  The project is output driven and one of the weavers was nominated to ensure exellent quality output.  It must be noted that one of the weavers is a person with epilepsy and the other weavers were unemployed marginalised women from the Khayelitsha community who required an income generation opportunity.

Epilepsy South Africa coordinates and supports the project.  It is based in Lansdowne at our Regional Office.  It is planned to train more weavers dependent on the production needs of the designer.