Each year we commemorate Intellectual Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) in March. For the 2022 campaign we undertook a portrait series called: Through my Eyes. Working with professional photographers, Chris and Jolandie Wessels as well as community-based organisationsLITTLE EDEN Society and The Hamlet Foundation - we captured pictures of persons with intellectual disability. We wanted to share their stories, their potential and their beauty through these photographs. Because stigma and discrimination are two of the most potent factors that influence a person’s wellbeing when they have a disability, we hope that by engaging the viewer to see into the eyes of the participants of the series, we can create a shared understanding of the equality and potential of persons with intellectual disability, thus highlighting the need and value for inclusion of these individuals.
We want to say a huge thank you to the amazing residents at The Hamlet and LITTLE EDEN Society for sharing their stories and time with us! We loved collaborating with these community-based organisations, as well as the incredible, Jolandie and Chris Wessels on such a meaningful project.
The organisation believes that no matter how profoundly disabled a person may be, he or she is still a whole complete being, with a body; a mind; a spirit and a soul.
LITTLE EDEN SOCIETY is a registered non-profit organisation providing life-long care to 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disability in two custom designed residential facilities – Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home in Edenvale, and Elvira Rota Village, in Bapsfontein.
About
The Little Eden Society
- Nichollette Zulu Business Development Manager, Little Eden
"We are so grateful that SAFMH decided to include us on this project. The photos are beautifully captured and they are a true representation of the mental picture we have of our residents…angels (as we affectionally call them)."
TheLittle EdenSociety
Jobekazi Gama
My name is Jobekazi and I am13years-old. I am an enthusiastic resident, who loves to watch the ongoings around me. I am always smiling brightly and if I could talk, I would probably be the chatterbox of LITTLE EDEN Society. I have an amazing ability to communicate with my eyes and love making others smile.
TheLittle EdenSociety
Sizwe Kheswa
I'm Sizwe and I am 18-years-old. I love to bounce along to songs, drum to music and play with balls outside. I have tons of energy and I want to engage and talk with anyone who walks into LITTLE EDEN Society. I love to take part in all activities and special days and I am the most positive person you will ever meet.
My name is Zinhle and I am 18-yearsold. I am very excitable and express this through smiling and giggling. I like to look at myself in the mirror and engage in girly activities like nailpainting and playing with make-up. I have a best friend here at LITTLE EDEN Society who is like an older sister to me. The two of us are always communicating non-verbally and are in cahoots. If one of us is laughing, the other is too, most times at the same inside joke.
TheLittle EdenSociety
Zinhle Khumalo
TheLittle EdenSociety
At 61-years-old, I am one of LITTLE EDEN Society's older residents but I am still very young at heart. I love my hats and sunglasses and enjoy being a cool dude when talking on my toy cell phone. You will always find me giving or requesting a friendly hug from my friends and care workers. I can't use words to communicate my needs but I will definitely let you know what I want and when I'm not happy.
Noel Falconer-Smith
JudySebola
My name is Judy and I am 28-yearsold. I have a really good memory when it comes to faces, and will recognise you even if I have not seen you for years. I love music and listening to the radio. When I have my nails painted I tend to blush. I am very ladylike and enjoy any attention. Although I can't talk, my expressions make it feel like we're having a lively conversation whenever you interact with me.
TheLittle EdenSociety
I'm Shaun and I am 31-years-old. I am a well-mannered, highly perceptive individual. I have a great sense of humour and can participate in conversations through pointing to my 'yes-andno' cards which allows me to answer and respond. I enjoy rap music and engaging in various tasks and activities.
TheLittle EdenSociety
ShaunMathere
LindelwaLehata
TheLittle EdenSociety
My name is Lindelwa and I am 12-years-old. I am quite a shy and reserved person when you first meet me but after a few minutes I enjoy every second of our interaction. I am very wellnatured and kind. I always have toys with me as I love to play. I am easy going and cope well with change.
About
Their focus is on development and empowerment of the individual towards achieving their maximum potential, enabling them to lead as normal a life as possible. A support system is provided to siblings and parents and to the broader community.
- Segri Subrumuny, CEO, The Hamlet Foundation
The Hamlet Foundation
The Hamlet Foundation is an NGO founded in 1954. We have grown and developed to include a school for 270 intellectually disabled children, a residential centers for 54-60 intellectually disabled adults and a protective workshop for 200 intellectually disabled adult workers.
"Our angels look absolutely stunning. Jolandie and Chris are super talented. These are the most amazing photographs I have ever seen, the white outfits and white background is heavenly”.
DonaldAndrews
My name is Donald and I am 52-years-old. My favourite colour is white. I love the Bryan Adams song 'Straight from The Heart' and enjoy listening to the radio, especially Helen Radio.
TheHamlet Foundation
TheHamlet Foundation
My name is Francis and I am 24years-old. I love listening to Rod Wave's 'Close Enough to Hurt' as well as RnB or rap music. My favourite colour is green and I love interacting with my friends through social media.
CharltonBullock & FrancisCoetzee
I'm Charlton and I am a big fan of Sam Smith. I love all of his songs. My favourite colours are green and maroon. I am also an avid artist and when I'm not working, I like to watch sports such as rugby, soccer, and cricket.
TheHamlet Foundation
JessicaLong
I'm Jessica and I'm 29-yearsold. My favourite colour is red and my favourite artist is the boyband, One Direction. I like spending time with my friends and my favourite movie is Scooby Doo.
My name is Caroline. My favourite colour is turquoise and my favourite song is 'Woman in Love' by Barbra Streisand. I enjoy listening to music, I like cats and dogs and walking just to exercise. I also love orchids.
TheHamlet Foundation
CarolineMignolet & KevinGibbs
I'm Kevin and I love the song 'White Wedding' by Billy Idol. I exercise every morning and enjoy listening to music, playing video games and cleaning the house.
TheHamlet Foundation
LillianLang
My name is Lillian and I am 39years-old. My favourite colours are black and white and I love the work of artist Nicholis Louw. In my spare time I enjoy making key holders with beads, as well as painting and writing.
I am Lindiwe. My favourite colour is purple and one of my favourite songs is 'Hayo Mathatha' by Winnie Mashaba. I love to dance, sing and model.
TLINDIWEFULA heHamlet Foundation
TheHamlet Foundation
Joseph McLaughlin
My name is Joseph and I am 52years-old. My favourite song is 'I Want to Break Free' by Queen. I love the colour blue and my favourite soccer team is Kaizer Chiefs. I enjoy watching most sports, but my favourites are cricket, table tennis and soccer.
TheHamlet Foundation
SeanManto
I'm Sean and I am 29-yearsold. I enjoy listening to music, especially Amapiano, and I love to dance. I like spending my days chatting to my friends and the other residents know me as the 'social butterfly'.
I'm Julien and my favourite colour is pink. I enjoy playing with my dolls and spending time with my friends. My favourite singer is Michael Bolton!
JulienFerreira
TheHamlet Foundation
& Chris Wessels Photography Hollywood Costumes SunshineCo. LITTLE EDEN Society The Hamlet Foundation We would like to give special thanks to: And of course our beautiful models who shared their time and smiles with us.
Jolandie
info@safmh.org www.safmh.org 011 781 1852
