KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Association for Persons with Disabilities (KAPD) has received a grant of R99 388, 30 from the National Development Agency (NDA) that will go towards buying operational machinery, equipment, materials as well as resources that will improve office administrative and logistic functions.
KAPD offers protective workshops, upliftment programmes and support groups for parents raising children with disabilities and those recently injured.
In nearly 30 years of operation, KAPD has provided a home away from home for many vulnerable persons in Knysna and equipped them with specialist skills to produce carpentry, stencilling and sewing products, which are sold to generate an income for the 25 active beneficiaries.
Their products, including furniture, dog kennels, coffins, cushions, bags and aprons, are made at Die Werkswinkel workshop in Hornlee and sold to locals and tourists at a shop in Woodmill Lane in Knysna.
KAPD manager Veronique Fortune said the organisation was negatively affected by Covid-19.
"As an organisation that stands for the cause of others and an inclusive economy, we can rarely fail to seek for help. It is against this vision that we sought funding from the NDA to propel our production capacity in order to generate additional income and job opportunities," she said.
Some of the products made at KAPD.
She said the work they do here restores dignity, instills independence and gives purpose for their beneficiaries.
"We also wish to grow our market base as we will offer even more products in less time and are open to linkages with other organisations."
Die Werkswinkel workshop manager, Edwin Pedro, has 27 years' experience of managing projects and teams. He is supported by two qualified carpenters, a builder and glazer as well as 19 other general workers who assist with cutting, sanding, varnishing, cleaning, sales and deliveries.
Diane Kleynhans, a skilled seamstress who has been working for KAPD for 25 years, said she has been able to put her three children through school from her disability grant and earnings from KAPD. "Everything I know I learnt here. We have helped many people here; some have started their own businesses. For the rest of us, this is our home," she said.
Over the years, the KAPD has received donations from the Department of Social Development, the Rotary Club of Knysna, the National Lottery, Knysna Municipality and more established carpentry and textile businesses.
Beautiful cupboards are among many products produced by KAPD.
NDA Western Cape manager Ardiel Soeker said their association with KAPD is line with their mandate of poverty eradication - they measure the impact by measuring household poverty indicators such as job and income generation opportunities, programme responsiveness to a social issue and sustainability.
"Naturally, the funded programmes report on the usage of the funding and monitoring is undertaken by the NDA. We are pleased with this partnership and are positive it will yield good results," said Soeker.
The NDA's development model is not limited to funding only, but also provides various interventions for registered and non-registered civil society organisations including mobilisation, networking, mentorship, linkages to markets for sustainability and capacity building.
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