Action in Autism Market Day

These adult autistics are currently hard at work preparing for the organisation’s first market day, to be held at the Action in Autism premises at 105 Haig Road, Parkhill in Durban on Saturday, December 5.

Students with facilitators in the skills transference programme at the Shahumna Centre at Action in Autism in Durban North are working hard at making goods for their first market day on December 5, from 9am to 2pm. They are calling on the community to come support them- there is lots to buy including baked goods and teas (prepped by the students), pre-loved clothing, plants, quality children’s clothing, a jumping castle and kiddies’ treats.

The Shahumna Centre, a project that forms part of the Action in Autism Centre in Parkhill, Durban North, offers a two-year embedded skills and business programme for autistic adults.

These adult autistics are currently hard at work preparing for the organisation’s first market day, to be held at the Action in Autism premises at 105 Haig Road, Parkhill in Durban on Saturday, December 5.

“This market day will be the first of its kind for Action in Autism and it is our hope that this market day will continue to be a bi-annual event at the centre,” said Khaya Mkhwanazi, manager of the Shahumna Centre. It will be run completely by the young adults at the centre and they have spent the final two quarters of the year preparing for it. They are preparing sensory tools and goods to be sold as well as preparing their most popular recipes from their weekly pop-up shop.

Students from the centre are calling on the local community (and the greater Durban area) to help the organisation support people with autism.

“It’s very important to be able to learn from us about humanity and humility,” one student commented in a group discussion.

The Shahumna Centre is just one of Action in Autism’s many projects. The organisation’s other flagship project, the Action in Autism Early Intervention Centre, provides early intervention and therapy to those children whose families cannot afford the high cost of private services.

The market aims to raise much-needed funds for the organisation, in order to continue these services, as well as other services provided by the organisation- a free diagnostic clinic, a skills transference programme for parents, teachers and professionals, and on-going resource and support for parents and care-givers of autistic people.

Expect to find baked goods and teas prepared by the students of the Shahumna Centre, high-quality coffee provided by Coastal Coffee Roasters, pre-loved clothing, plants, quality children’s clothing, a jumping castle and kiddies’ treats.

Action in Autism hopes to welcome the surrounding communities to enjoy a day out with autistic people in order to showcase their services and create partnerships with individuals and organizations, who are interested in supporting the organisation and the programmes offered.

Action in Autism welcomes support through cash or kind, or through volunteering.

If you would like to attend the market, to make a donation of pre-loved clothing, plants, household goods, to book a table to trade, support a child, or for more information about the services offered by the organisation, call 031 563-3039, email info@actioninautism.org.za, or visit the website at www.actioninautism.org.za. The market will be open from 9am to 2pm.