The Miss Lesh Foundation

16/03/2026

On Friday, 13 March 2026, I had the privilege of attending a Consultation Meeting with Parents and Caregivers of Children with Disabilities on JICA Respite Care, hosted by the Free State Department of Social Development at Tshireletsong CYCC.

The purpose of the workshop was to engage with parents and caregivers and introduce the JICA Respite Care Programme, which aims to support families caring for children with disabilities by providing temporary relief and community-based support services. 💙

Respite care is extremely important because caregivers often carry the responsibility of 24-hour care. Programmes like this acknowledge the emotional, physical, and social demands placed on families and aim to create support systems within communities.

During the workshop, presentations were made by:• The Department of Education• The Department of Social Development

There were also discussions around the establishment of a Mangaung Parents Forum, which will give parents and caregivers a platform to share their voices, experiences, and challenges while helping shape services that support children with disabilities.

The long-term vision is to roll out JICA Respite Care services across districts in the Free State, strengthening support networks for families raising children with disabilities.

As a parent and disability advocate, it was encouraging to see these conversations happening. True change begins when caregivers are included in the dialogue and solutions. 🌱

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with a disability in Mangaung, stay connected. More engagement and opportunities for involvement will follow as this initiative develops.

03/02/2026

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13/12/2025

🙌🏻🤍🪄✨️🌱

An eye-opening journey!

This Saturday, during our monthly team hike, I had the privilege of walking alongside Thandile, who is Blind. For close to 11 kilometers, I became her eyes, guiding, describing, and helping her navigate the trail.

What struck me most was not what she could not see but how much I began to see through her experience. Every step reminded me of how much we take for granted…our sight, our independence, and the ease with which we move through life. Yet, Thandile’s spirit, courage, and sense of humor never wavered. She taught me more about resilience, trust, and faith in humanity than any book ever could.

This was more than a hike. It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, to build an inclusive world through our Project 1 Million and Community Skills Village, where individuals with disabilities gain skills, confidence, and opportunity.

But truthfully, raising funds and creating impact is not easy, especially when you are doing it with a small team and a big heart. We can’t do it alone!

So I AM reaching out to my friends, followers, and corporate leaders:
👉 Help us raise awareness and funds.
👉 Connect me with your company, CSR team, or network.
👉 Give me the opportunity to share our story and vision because every introduction, every share, every bit of support changes a life.

Together, we can make inclusion real, not just in words, but in action.

Thank You for taking the time to read this and assist.

20/11/2025

As a mother raising a blind child in South Africa, I can say this with my whole chest: our country is failing blind learners.

We have brilliant, curious, capable children like Veronique and Aleshanee who deserve access to the same knowledge, textbooks, literature, and learning opportunities as everyone else. Yet they are constantly forced to wait… or simply go without.

South Africa adopted the Marrakesh Treaty in 2013.
The Constitutional Court has already ruled in favour of blind people.
There are no legal barriers left — only silence and inaction.

Meanwhile, children in other countries can access thousands of accessible-format books instantly. Here, parents like me still have to:

Spend months chasing accessible textbooks

Watch our children be excluded from educational resources that are readily available elsewhere

Our kids are not asking for charity — they’re asking for equal access to knowledge.

Learning shouldn’t be a fight. Education shouldn’t be a privilege. Access shouldn’t depend on whether sighted people decide to prioritise us.

South Africa must ratify the Marrakesh Treaty now and open the doors to global access—so blind children like mine can learn, dream, and contribute without barriers.

And still, our children rise. They learn. They fight. They show up with courage every day. We will continue to push, advocate, and demand better — because their futures are worth every battle.

20/11/2025

South Africa is failing blind learners — including my own children, Veronique and Aleshanee.

Other countries have already unlocked global access to accessible books.
Here, we are still waiting… fighting… paying thousands to convert material that already exists internationally.

There are no legal barriers left. Only government inaction.

Blind children deserve education without delay, without begging, without barriers.

We will keep advocating because our children deserve a future where access to knowledge isn’t a privilege.

20/11/2025

All eyes are on South Africa as it prepares to host the G20 Leaders Summit this coming weekend.But first, the country will host the G20 Social Summit from Tu...

20/11/2025

The South African National Council for the Blind held an in-person Consumer Committee meeting on Saturday, 15 November, chaired by Gale Nkosi—Chairperson of the Consumer Committee, National Chairperson of South African Blind Women in Action, and a member of both the SANCB National Management Committee (NMC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).

Retina SA was represented by Caryl Baum, Vice Chairperson and member of the management committee.

The meeting was enriched by the valuable contributions and insights shared by members on consumer rights, especially those affecting blind and visually impaired children and vulnerable individuals. Discussions highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of consumers with disabilities in South Africa.

image description Gale and Caryl stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera. Gale is on the left wearing a white shirt with colourful patterns and a black-and-white patterned pants. Caryl is on the right wearing a blue Retina SA polo shirt, dark pants, blue shoes, and carries a large blue shoulder bag. Both wear glasses. Vertical blinds cover the windows behind them.