Palesa Chauke is an occupational therapist and senior ELOM trainer who is doing a Master’s degree in Paediatrics and Early Learning. Palesa reflects on her experience as a senior ELOM trainer.
IMPACT ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
“[The ELOM assessments] gave me insight on data collection, you know, how they do the data collection and how they actually train on the tool. So as occupational therapists, we are trained on how to assess and on standardised tools. So, seeing that happen, like seeing that take place, it’s the most beautiful thing. And what was amazing for me this year was when we did the ELOM-D training, ya sign language, because I’m also learning sign language.”
Being a senior ELOM trainer has also helped Palesa gain financial independence; “…the extra income that…I get…it really does help me financially…because I’m a part-time occupational therapist. So, I work only a certain number of hours. So, it does help me. I mean, I was able to pay for my master’s tuition this year. I paid my own fees. So, I was able to pay my own fees this year. My little sister is also doing her first year so I can help her.”
REFLECTIONS ON ELOM-D TRAINING
“…training in the ELOM-D was amazing, because in research we talk about inclusivity, we talk about wanting to include those learners who don’t, you know, and the deaf have always been sidelined. And then it was just amazing how they adapted the ELOM to fit the deaf children, because being deaf doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t learn. You know, or necessarily mean that they are disabled or something. It’s just the hearing impairment that’s a problem. So that was the most beautiful experience that I had. And it made me even love the deaf community and understand the deaf community even more, because now I was in a room full of deaf people. So, it was just amazing learning the culture, learning the language.”
THOUGHTS ON THE THRIVE BY FIVE INDEX
“I actually used…the 2021 Index, to write my Master’s Literature Review… I used the reports because they were saying, I’m looking at this, and what is the problem? What is the gap? Why are children not thriving? But from an Occupational Therapist point of view…this is South African. They know our context. They understand our context. They understand our children. So this was a beautiful tool. And I wanted to know more.”
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