in Touch
MARCH 2015
P O Box 2212 Primrose 1416 South Africa Tel. +27(0) 11 609 7246 Fax +27(0) 11 452 4560 Email: info@littleeden.org.za www.littleeden.org.za 001 827 NPO PBO 930/0000/03
On the move – thanks to friends
like you! Forget Formula 1 – there’s no stopping our Wheelchair Racers now that they’ve learned the secret to propelling themselves around!
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et’s face it – being able to go where you want to, when you want to . . . to explore your surroundings at your own pace – is a huge part of what makes life worth living. That’s why we’ve been encouraging the little ones in Green Wing to learn how to use their arms to manoeuvre their wheelchairs around. Busi (3), Fikile (4) and Khaya (5) are catching on fast – and fast is the operative word! As their physical strength grows, so too does their confidence – and the game is on to see who can get across the room first. Apart from developing independence and confidence, being mobile allows for greater opportunities to socialise with the other children, staff and visitors. Which just makes everyone happier!
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ood rains . . . sunshine . . . and faith in the future – that’s all it takes to sow and grow a healthy harvest of corn at Elvira Rota Village. And as we watch the mielie
plants shooting up, we are reminded to count our blessings. Despite the financial crisis we face, our precious children and adults with intellectual disability are
Bumpe harve r at Elvi st ra Rota Village safe and content thanks to people like you, who rally round to make sure they have everything they need. Thank you for your amazing generosity and friendship.
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Thanks for giving
Christmas joy!
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ilent Night and Away in a Manger . . . the story of the baby born in a stable, told in music and song at our Christmas concerts . . . a visit from Santa with his big sack of brightly wrapped gifts – this was Christmas at LITTLE EDEN. And you were part of it – making sure our special ‘angels’ felt all thee joy and love of the season. THANK YOU!
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ours may not be the he arms that cuddle a little one, lift him into a wheelchair or carry ine. him out into the sunshine. But our children do feel el your caring touch in everything we do to make them happy. Even though they are both four years old, Fikile and Lindelwa’s abilities couldn’t n’t be more different. Lindelwa’s mental tal age is that of a 3 month-old baby, and she struggles to even sit d independently – whereas Fikile can sit, feed herself, and recently started ts to crawl. Because of their different levels of development, these two tots need completely different care and stimulation programmes. Fortunately, that’s exactly what they get at LITTLE EDEN! Here, each child is treated as an individual – and no two are the same. Some like to bang on a drum and sing at the top of their voices, while others are upset by loud noises or sudden movement. Some relish the challenge of learning new things, while others are less responsive. Our staff take the time and trouble to get to know and understand each child in their care – and to create the right environment for them to thrive. Such is the bond, that carers seem to know instinctively what is bothering a child who cannot communicate his or her feelings . . . and how to soothe them.
Your caring
touch
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isitors to LITTLE EDEN often wonder how our staff find the love, patience and dedication to care for children who are so profoundly disabled. The answer is simple: these special angels are so easy to please! Carers like Nokosiniphile become sincerely attached to the children in their charge, like Lourens – a quiet, gentle soul who suffered brain damage as a baby, after contracting meningitis. As a result of his illness, he has Kyphosis, a condition that causes his spine to curve so badly that his chin almost touches his knees. Nokosiniphile knows that special stretching exercises help. But she wanted to do more for the little boy. So she arranged to have Lourens’ wheelchair cushions specially customised to accommodate his unique posture. As we settled the little boy more comfortably on the new cushions, Lourens suddenly gave us a big smile. We tried to capture the moment on camera, but it was so fleeting that we failed. But the memory of that wonderful moment of connection remains in Nokosiniphile’s heart . . . and it’s what keeps her coming back to care for little Lourens day after day – always ready to go the extra mile in return for the reward of bringing a little joy into his life.
Big smiles make us go the extra mile Your sponsorship provides a safe, secure and loving environment for children with intellectual and physical disabilities . . . giving him or her the chance to thrive.
l by nge thly A n n ta a mo dop To a up for e the rm ing , us sign nation ation fo e n t do o e d ll t sed t Nicho 6 o l c 4 en ontac 9 72 or c 011 60 on
Fikile, who is deaf, has just realised at the age of four, that making eye contact and gurgling can get you out of your pram.
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Dana Altini – Speech therapist
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hen little Pule first came to LITTLE EDEN as a 2-year-old in 2009, he had to be pushed around in a wheelchair. He couldn’t walk, talk or even feed himself. But we knew he had potential – and with patience, lots of attention, stimulation and therapy, Pule began to develop in leaps and bounds. In the five years he’s bee been He doesn’t just walk now – he runs at full at LITTLE EDEN, young speed – and his most recent achievement is Pule has shown amazing learning to talk. Starting with single words like progress – thanks to ‘no’, ‘cake’, ‘sore’, and so on, he has progressed you and the intensive to speaking full sentences. therapy that your gifts Letting go of him hasn’t been easy for the staff have financed. at the Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home. But we all knew that Pule would be happiest at Elvira Rota V Village. He’s taken to life on the farm like the proverbial du duck to water, and loves having more space to run around, and lots of new things to see and do. Not every child who comes into our care will reach the milestones that Pule’s achieved. But every single child is encouraged to make the most of life – whatever that means for them.
Look at me
Now
If something you did today – which cost you absolutely nothing – had the power to bring joy into the future in the lives of children with disabilities . . . would you do it?
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The he aim of music therapy is not necessarily to get meone to do something someone better tter – but to encourage ticipation regardless participation of the he level of ability. Karen de Kock – Music Therapist
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hat’s exactly what happens when you include a bequest to LITTLE EDEN in your Will. It gives you the opportunity to make a substantial gift – one which you might not be able to afford right now – to ensure that children and adults with profound intellectual disability will be loved and nurtured for the rest of their lives. It’s not only the wealthy who have the power to influence the future in this way. Some 40 years ago, inspired by Domitilla Hyams and her gratitude for even the most humble contribution, Loretta and Neville Sirrals began making a small monthly donation to LITTLE EDEN – a habit that has persisted over the years. Recently, they took the decision to leave a bequest that will ensure their support continues beyond their own lifetime. If you would like to find out more about leaving a bequest to LITTLE EDEN, please call Asna Bhana on 011 609 7246, email fr@littleeden.org.za or mark the relevant tick box on the enclosed donation form and return it to us in the reply envelope provided.