Every Life Deserves
Full Support & Dignity.
Asbah SA provides life-changing support, advocacy, and community for individuals living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus — and the families who love them.
What is Spina Bifida
It is a congenital defect where some of the bones that make up the unborn baby's spinal column, do not join together properly, leaving an opening in the spine usually in the lower part of the back. The soft parts of the spinal cord may push through this opening. These soft parts consist of the spinal nerves, fluid and meninges. This is the lump that may be visible on the baby's back at birth.
The spinal cord has been damaged; messages from the brain do not get down the spinal cord to the lower part of the body. As a result, there is loss of sensation, bladder and bowel control and mobility problems. Disability varies from child to child depending on the level of the lesion on the spine.
Credit: Reeve Foundation
What is Hydrocephalus
Every person has fluid in their brain but children with Spina Bifida tend to collect more fluid than normal in the brain, which is called HYDROCEPHALUS or “Water on the brain”. If it is not treated it will cause the head to become bigger. If the child has hydrocephalus a small tube (shunt) is placed in the head and the extra fluid is drained away to the abdomen.
While the majority of children have normal intelligence, those with Hydrocephalus may have learning problems, although most of them attend mainstream or special schools.
Two Decades of Changing Lives
Since 2003, Asbah SA has been the backbone of support for thousands of South African families navigating life with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
Families Supported
In the Western Cape (South Africa)
Years of Service
Established 2003, still growing
Medical Partners
Hospitals, clinics & specialists
Satisfaction Rate
Based on annual beneficiary survey
About Asbah SA
Born From Lived Experience
Founded in 2003 by parents and medical professionals, Asbah SA has grown from a small Cape Town support group into a national organisation serving over 12,000 families.
We are driven by a simple belief: every person, regardless of their diagnosis, deserves full participation in life. Registered NPO No. 146-568.
Mission
To empower individuals with SB&H to live full, dignified, and connected lives.
Vision
A South Africa where disability is met with support, not stigma.
What We Stand For
Aims & Objectives
Our Aims
We are committed to outreach and education, but often lack the forum in which to be most effective.
We would really like to get involved with workshops for public health and community health centre staff and school health nurses.
We have a continuously growing database of patients and the aim is to connect with these persons individually.
Our Helpline programme is aimed to also provide each patient with a handheld personal record card.
Our Main Objectives
To protect and promote the interests of all persons with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and related disabilities.
To promote and/or support measures which will prevent or reduce the occurrence of disabling conditions and their effects.
To promote, undertake and or support such accessible and equitable community-based medical, educational, vocational, social, recreational rehabilitation and social services and facilities as may be required by persons with disabilities to achieve independence.
How We Help
Four Pillars of Comprehensive Support
From the moment of diagnosis through every stage of life, Asbah SA walks alongside individuals and families with practical, compassionate support.
Specialist Care Navigation
Inclusive Education Pathways
Peer Support & Community
Dignity Through Assistance
Voices From Our Community
Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a story of courage.
“Asbah SA answered our call within hours. They didn't just point us to resources — they came with us to the hospital.”
Nomsa Dlamini
Parent of beneficiary · Soweto, Gauteng
“I was told I'd never live independently. Today I'm a qualified social worker — and I volunteer here every weekend.”
Lethabo Mokoena
Beneficiary & Volunteer · Bloemfontein, Free State
“The level of personalised care and genuine compassion of their team is unlike any other NGO I've worked with.”
Dr. Priya Naidoo
Paediatric Nurse · Cape Town, Western Cape
Join the Movement of Care
Every donation, every volunteer hour, every referral ripples outward. Here's how you can be part of the change.
Make a Donation
Your gift directly funds specialist referrals, assistive devices, and bursaries.
Volunteer With Us
Medical professionals, educators, or anyone with a generous heart — we have a role for you.
Know Someone Who Needs Us?
Refer families directly to our intake team. We respond within 24 hours.