Author: Lucia Lotter

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities initiated this training in 2025 to address the needs of recent school leavers. The main objective is their introduction into a work-related environment. The content of this programme benefits individuals who can sustain a daily minimum level of production and who can fit into the “work” environment without needing care. Thirty beneficiaries have been integrated into production-related activities. The trainee beneficiaries will be assessed to track their progress and inform their pathways. They also actively participate in group discussions about discipline, ethics and behavioural aspects related to the “work” environment and life in general.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities operates a feeding scheme as part of its Wellness Programme. Sandwiches and beverages are provided daily for 160 beneficiaries. To do so, sponsorship for or donations of consumables such as tea, coffee, Cremora, sugar, margarine, peanut butter and jam, are greatly appreciated. This could be supplemented by fruit that could be distributed to all beneficiaries.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities established and manages the Jacaranda Protected Workshop Forum. The Forum engages with over 20 organisations in the disability sector in Tshwane to develop their capacities to deliver services to persons with disabilities, mostly in disadvantaged communities. Craft training sessions for Jacaranda Forum members were held in February and March 2025, focusing on creating Easter decorations and hair clips. Attendance certificates were awarded to all individuals from the various member workshops.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities prepares various rainwater products for the retail market for Heunis Steel (https://www.heunis.co.za/). These products include stop-ends, bundle brackets and ceiling jointers. Product-related stickers are pasted on every item, items are packed and wrapped.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities is now providing a year-long training programme to introduce persons with disabilities, 18 years and older (Preferably under 35 years), to the world of work. The programme focuses on

• The work environment and discipline
• Work ethics and appropriate behaviour
• Work habits
• Understanding production-orientated activities

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities publishes Tidbits about the services rendered to clients on our website and Facebook. These contain information about the activities of beneficiaries with disabilities with links to clients’ websites. We aim to provide social media exposure to clients that support Employment Solutions and to showcase the contributions of beneficiaries with disabilities.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities does GIS data capturing focused on countries in Africa for AfriGIS (https://www.afrigis.co.za/) – one of the suppliers of data to Google Maps. It includes, amongst others, the capturing of roads from aerial photographs. This is the first phase in the capturing process. We also do the first quality assessment on the captured work.

Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities assembles plastic irrigation pipes for Dela Plast (https://delaplast.co.za/). The process includes cutting the pipes to length, putting the connector on one side and pushing the other side into a peg. The pegs with tubes are then packed.

The Jacaranda Forum is a community project initiated by Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities for other protective workshops and disability organisations. Monthly Forum meetings focus on support and capacity building. The Forum also offers craft-related training to enhance the variety of activities that these organisations can offer to beneficiaries with disabilities. The Forum ended 2025 with an enjoyable year-end function.

During 2024, Plumblink (https://www.plumblink.co.za/home) donated various items towards Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities’ bathroom renovation project. The contribution was highly appreciated and benefited Employment Solutions’ beneficiaries by giving them access to adequate and convenient facilities.