As mentioned in our home page about the Sisulu Family, and their involvement in developing the community of Orlando West, they have made a contribution to the community in Soweto , Phomolong in Orlando West. Through the participation of community structures, the following were identified as priority needs and subsequently comprise the main areas of the multipurpose centre.

THE SCHOOL

The school accommodates learners with special educational needs (LSEN) from grade R to 9 in the GET band (3-18 years old).

The special resource school addresses both the short-term and long-term goals of the education white paper 6 on special needs education, July 2001. The establishment of the Albertina Sisulu School is lacated within the Social Services programme, in particular the Childhood Development strategy and the World Declaration Summit for the rights of children on ‘A world fit for children'. Both strategies emphasize the need for the provision of quality education to all children as well as access to basic education for those adult communities that need training. The Childhood Development Strategy will provide the framework for the operations and delivery of the programmes of the Albertina Sisulu School for the 3-18 years old, especially the ECD grouping.

CHALLENGES

Due to the needs of the clients in this centre, it is imperative that a transport system be put in place. Based on the fact that the centre will be catering for close to 400 people in a day, it is estimated that the centre will need approximately five busses that carry 60 seated passengers and two thirty 30 seater busses. Some of the busses will have to be adapted for people with physical disabilities, infants and the aged. The GDE has already acquired two 28 seater busses and more have to be acquired in order to address the needs of all people at the centre.