09 Downtown, Victoria, Australia
Kwanza Autism Center envisions a society where caregivers of autistic children feel supported and understood from the moment of diagnosis, while navigating a larger society that respects and understands autism, as well as other forms of neurodiversity
We are a growing community consisting of caregivers, professionals, and autistic people, with members located virtually, in East Africa, North America & Europe. Our primary goal is to establish a secure and supportive environment for caregivers as they begin their journey of supporting autistic children
We empower our community with knowledge, strategies ad resources through virtual Zoom workshops, social media content and live stream discussions
We aim to spark and enable progressive discussions on autism within our African communities, with the goal of fostering change and dismantling the stigma associated with autism. Through various media channels, we disseminate information to the public to advance this advocacy effort
Meet the co-founders: Joana & Carol
My first son Christian is a sweet & loving boy. When he was diagnosed with Autism, my husband and I felt lost and unsure. We sought answers abroad because Christian’s pediatrician in Uganda didn’t recognize any concerns. We eventually realized the urgent need for intervention, which turned out to be expensive and intensive. This experience led me to think about other families in Uganda facing similar challenges. I discovered that stigma is high, Autism awareness & acceptance are lacking, and many educators and caregivers are not equipped to support Autistic children. Many families also can’t afford the appropriate services for their children.
Despite these challenges, I have learned that there is hope when we seek community and knowledge. I embarked on a journey to understand Christian’s sensory needs, and teach him through his strengths and interests. The strategies I have learned have been transformative for Christian’s development and we are incredibly hopeful about his future! Our nonprofit organization’s mission is to create a community of caregivers, educators and Autistic people, and to offer education in various forms. Through sharing our experiences, we hope to break the stigma around Autism & spread hope!
Carol’s story: I’m an Ugandan Speech & Language Pathologist (SLP) based in the U.S., with a background in “Communicative Sciences & Disorders” from New York University. My practice has primarily been in New York City. While working with children on the Autism Spectrum, I noticed disparities in support for parents in high, middle, and low-income communities. I encountered families in homeless shelters with limited resources and others in lavish homes with ample resources for their children.
I also observed similar challenges for Ugandan families raising children with Autism, facing stigma and limited services. These experiences inspired me to create Kwanza Autism with my co-founder Joana, a platform offering community, information & training for caregivers of children with Autism. I believe in the power of knowledge and community, and I envision Kwanza Autism as a valuable resource for both.