Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

06 May 2026

4-minute read

Imagine a world in which children are unable to feel the grass beneath their fingers, jump through rain puddles, play in sand, or smell the sweet scent of fresh flowers. For many South African children living in underserved communities, this is an unfortunate reality.

In a groundbreaking step towards inclusion and accessibility, Afrika Tikkun has launched South Africa’s first community-based sensory facility in Orange Farm — a space designed to bring therapeutic support out of private clinics and into the heart of an underserved community. This innovative facility, constructed primarily from recycled materials and repurposed infrastructure, in this case a shipping container, was built by the community and with the community.

As an occupational therapist with the NGO Afrika Tikkun, Tegan White was led to find her purpose in life through her love for supporting early childhood development and “helping children to live life to their absolute full potential.” Working with children, those with abilities and disabilities, helps us to understand the wider world and the day-to-day things that we do, sha says.

Tegan says that sensory integration is our ability to understand the world around us, both externally and internally, with our five senses. A sensory centre helps children use and develop their senses and learn how their body and emotions work to better regulate themselves and make sense of the world around them.

Every child should know how to calm down, concentrate and participate. But making sense of the world “comes to a halt” when sensory integration is lacking, and such children can be affected in multiple ways, says Tegan. For example, certain children who have trouble moving past noise that impacts on their stimuli can react by blocking their ears or moving away to avoid the noise and are then labelled ‘naughty’ or ‘difficult’. Emotional regulation is a skill that builds up to a response.

The launch of this community sensory facility mean for a place like Orange Farm, where access to specialised services has been limited, comes from a model developed by Dr Blackey that brings true inclusion and access to children in their ability to understand the world. It was developed in partnership with Sensory-Space and not only provides a fully equipped therapeutic environment but also empowers parents, caregivers and community members with the tools and knowledge to support children with diverse sensory and developmental needs. It challenges the traditional model of high-cost therapy spaces by making sensory support accessible, practical and community-owned.

This space is not only for therapeutic use but provides users with access to light, texture, movement and sound in a structured and playful way. Children move through the room while different senses are targeted, and they “can gravitate towards what works for them.” Tegan mentions that this creates a sense of “adventure” for underprivileged children who are not exposed to these things and gives them access to the workings of the world around them.

Creating play spaces for children does not have to be expensive, she emphasizes. The essence of this “community-driven, ubuntu-focused project” by Afrika Tikkun, an organisation that has served underserved communities, is to prove that these projects can work. Children from disadvantaged communities experience much more stress and strain than children from privileged backgrounds, and they need access to “safe places to play,” reiterates Tegan.

Sensory spaces help bridge the gap between physical and mental health. Emotional responses are difficult for neurodiverse children, and these spaces help them make sense of their emotions. The use of recycled materials in this project is powerful, and it sends the message that innovation in underserved communities can be cost effective.

Tegan advocates for true inclusion, especially for children who are neurodiverse, which means not only being physically present, but emotionally available and tolerant, loving and caring. At its core, this project represents more than just a physical space — it is a shift towards dignity, inclusion and early intervention, ensuring that children and families who were once excluded from such resources are now seen, supported and equipped to thrive.

Listen to the full interview with Faaiza Munshi and Tegan White here.