We believe that every child with CP, irrespective of their age or location, has the potential for change and the right to the kind of rehabilitation therapy and equipment which will make a difference to the quality of their lives, as well as to the lives of their caregivers. While we have witnessed the devastating consequences experienced by children and families with little or no access to therapy and supportive equipment, we have also seen firsthand what can be achieved by children with CP, given the right conditions.

With few sources of support, parents and caregivers of children with CP living in rural areas are often isolated, and often live in ignorance of simple interventions that can make a meaningful difference to both their lives and to the lives of their children. In addition to this, most rural therapists also remain ignorant of such interventions, due to a lack of appropriate training and experience in working with children with CP.

Malamulele Onward is a child-centred and family-focused organisation that understands the holistic needs of children with CP. We emphasise that CP is a way of life and recognise that in order to improve a child’s life, we cannot work with the child in isolation. We work to create supportive environments, which include the child’s family, their neighbours as well as the local health and rehabilitation services.

We recognise that the development and well-being of children with CP is shaped by the positive encounters they experience within their family unit, their communities and local health facilities. Therefore, our purpose as an organisation is to make long-term investments in rural CP services and to develop innovative solutions in order to reduce and minimise the potentially negative and debilitating consequences of this lifelong disability.

We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers to ensure a positive outcome for all children with CP, but we are committed to continually improving what we do and how we work, based on what we learn from the children and their families. We will continue to do so until we know how to sustainably change the future of children with CP living in rural areas.