In Touch by Sheila McCallum

in Touch

JUNE 2010

P O Box 2212 Primrose 1416 South Africa Tel. 011 609 7246 Fax 011 452 4560 E-mail address: info@littleeden.org.za Web address: www.littleeden.org.za NPO: 001-827 PBO No.: 930 0000 03

Look at me walking lk ... oops, all ll fall f ll down d ... let’s try that again ... I can do it!

Little Pule learns to walk T

and responds to here was great Vanneau’s instructions excitement at to roll to the left or LITTLE EDEN recently right, lie on his tummy when Pule – encouraged or lift his bum up off the by his therapist, Vanneau – mat – and Pule’s older took his first wobbly steps. brother Tshepo. How we wish you Tshepo’s hands and could have been there arms are badly affected to share the moment ... by cerebral palsy, and are because, without support usually clenched stiffly from compassionate friends behind his back. When he like you, it would never arrived at LITTLE EDEN, have happened. the only way he could eat Three-year old Pule has was to put his whole face cerebral palsy, and needed The race iis on ... Th into the bowl. intensive therapy to help away goes Bo! Now, thanks to a strengthen his legs and feet. special splint on his right arm, which He also had lots of incentive to catch holds it firmly in place, he is able to eat ‘show-off’ Bo, who could take just three with a spoon. steps when she arrived here, and who now Once again, a huge thank you to all likes to race against Pule. our friends, whose support helps these Other children making amazing children reach their full potential. p progress g are Shaun – who understands

With winter well on the way, our children are in need of warm clothing – especially cosy long ankle socks, fleecy tracksuits, beanies and slippers. Good second hand garments are much appreciated so if you have any of these items please consider passing them on.

A chapter closes

Lovely to meet you! T

his has to be the largest group of visitors ever at LITTLE EDEN! Busloads of Honours Accounting students from the University of Johannesburg – numbering 120 in total – arrived at our Edenvale Home on Tuesday 20 April, loaded with cuddly toys, balloons, bubbles, chips, cupcakes and cold drinks for the children. Most of the students had no idea what to expect and had lots of questions for our PRO, Nichollette Zulu, who welcomed them to the Home. Where do the children come from? Do they have parents? How many live here and what are their ages? Nichollette explained that although the average age of the residents is 23 years, their average mental age is one year. This means most wear

nappies and cannot walk, talk or feed themselves. After this brief introduction, the students split up into smaller groups to visit the children in the various wings. This caused great excitement, as you can imagine, with little ones like Bo demanding to be the centre of attention, and refusing to let her new friends go. The students were equally reluctant to leave and congratulated LITTLE EDEN on the work being done here. We’re sure they left with lots of memories and will not forget their afternoon spent interacting with our special ‘angels’. Please remember that if you would like to visit LITTLE EDEN you are most welcome to do so! However, we do ask that you contact Nichollette on 011 609 7246 in advance to arrange a suitable time.

‘Life is about the gift - not the package it comes in.’ – Dennis P Costea, Jr Read more about Shaun (left) and Tshepo on page 1

hen Stephinah passed away recently, after 25 years at LITTLE EDEN, it marked the end of a special chapter in our history. Stephinah was the first black child to be admitted to our Home against government regulations back then. She came from St Vincent’s Mission Hospital in Warmbaths – which was run by the Belgium Sisters of Charity. The decision to accept her was a tough one. Not only was little Stephinah not eligible for a State grant, her presence in defiance of apartheid laws could have resulted in the closure of the Home. Founder of LITTLE EDEN, Domitilla Hyams, decided to pray for guidance ... a nine-day novena to the Madonna. During this time, a plain brown envelope arrived at the office; when opened, it was found to contain a cheque for R100 000. This was the sign Domitilla had been waiting for. Now, with sufficient funds to care for the child, she felt justified in welcoming little Stephinah. And, there was no official interference from the authorities. But the story has a strange twist. Two days before Stephinah’s death, the Order of the Belgium Sisters of Charity left South Africa after 85 years’ of dedicated service to the missions in South Africa. It almost seemed as if Stephinah continued to live as long as they were here but with their departure, she chose to depart. Please join us in praying for Stephinah and all the other LITTLE EDEN children who have gone to be with Jesus.

Hoping for a small miracle

e stole a lot of hearts as the driver of the ‘Ferrari’ in our Christmas concert. But what few people realised is that Xolani has a great deal of difficulty walking, owing to a hip problem that has left one leg much weaker and smaller than the other. But now there is hope for little Xolani in the form of a hip correction operation. Although due for several more assessments before an operation is performed, we are optimistic that the day will come when he is able to run and jump like any other five year old! In the meantime, we’ll do everything we can to make sure Xolani is safe and happy at LITTLE EDEN. And this is where your ongoing support makes all the difference. We take this opportunity to once again thank our many wonderful friends and supporters for your genuine caring and compassion for our special ‘angels’ like Xolani.

All the fun of the fête

wesome displays by police dogs ... bagpipes and swirling g kilts ... dancing ... music by Melanie ie Lowe and the Shimmer Girls ... face-painting ce painting ... and lots to eat and drink - this year’s LITTLE EDEN fête was our best ever! And – most importantly – all proceeds will go towards the cost of caring for our ‘family’ of 300 children and adults with intellectual disability. Thanks to everyone who supported us!

Caring makes the difference

hat gives a child who cannot walk, talk or even sit up by himself, the will to keep clinging to life? Research proves that babies who are cuddled a lot – whose carers sing to them and talk to them – thrive. While those denied human contact are more likely to die. Our children are just the same. Knowing they are important to someone is what gives them a reason to live. This is why we are so grateful that our staff have embraced the LITTLE EDEN values: love and care, sanctity of life and respect.

By living these values, they ensure that every child knows he or she matters ... is worthy of respect ... is loved. Every child is greeted by name; staff take time to stop and chat, to reach out and clasp a hand here, tickle a foot there, stroke a cheek or give a hug. And it really does make all the difference! You may not be here in person to interact with our children – but your compassion and kindness show that you also share our values. Thank you for being an unseen, yet deeply felt presence in the lives of these children with profound intellectual disability.

ELVIRA ROTA VILLAGE NEWS WS S

Lots to crow about! N

ot only do we have a beautiful new Chapel with enough space for the entire LITTLE EDEN family to gather together for mass and a special ‘Wall of Remembrance’ set in a garden alongside, we are also delighted to have Archbishop Emeritus George Daniel living permanently at the Village in a small house adjacent to the chapel.

More News Spontaneous hugs from the residents were the order of the day when three nuns from the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (SIC) in India arrived at Elvira Rota Village to work with the children. Sr Magie, Sr Tessa and Sr Therese – pictured here with one of our residents, Daniella – have experience working with disabled children in India, although our Village offers a very different environment to the institutions they are used to. The Sisters will be with us for a year, although we are hoping the Order will establish a permanent presence here. There are no shortage of hugs – and genuine affection – among the residents either ... while farm dog, Coda, also gets his share of attention.

Magical moments I

t happened during one of our weekly music sessions. ‘As usual, Wayne and Bongani arrived early to arrange the chairs, painstakingly ensuring that the correct number were arranged in a circle, leaving space for Leslie, Shaun and Tshiya who are wheelchair bound,’ explains Karen, our Music Therapist. ‘Next, out came the microphone, keyboard and guitar - signalling that they wanted to sing individually ‘karaoke style’. The format of this activity is simple. I sing a refrain - Whose turn is it to sing? - and whoever wants to, gets up, walks to the centre of the circle, takes the microphone and tells me what they want to sing. Favourites include The lion sleeps tonight, N’Kosi sikelele and This little light of mine. ‘Some residents have more confidence and jump up to be heard, while others sit patiently, waiting to be encouraged. ‘Jan Loots is selectively mute in these sessions. He only sings in a group; the minute he is asked to speak

or sing by himself, he clams up. Although we never stop trying, he has never participated in these sessions.’ ‘During this particular one, Jan kept crossing the middle of the circle to go to the toilet. Each time, he bumped into the singer. The third time he did this, I wondered if he was trying to ‘say’ something and asked him if he would like to sing. We were all dumfounded when he picked up the mic and started singing Kumbayo, my Lord, loud and strong as if it was the most natural thing in the world. It was a blessing to see his face, and those of staff and residents in awe of what was happening. Afterwards, Jan walked back to his chair with a big smile as we cheered.