in Touch
MAY 2012
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
Carer Lilly enjoys spending time with Robert, teaching him the different colours, shapes and sounds.
How do they do it?
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isitors to LITTLE EDEN often express heartfelt admiration for our staff and openly admit that they themselves would find it difficult to work with such severely disabled people, day after day. So we asked Lilly, who has been with us for nearly 10 years, how she does it. “You need to have respect for the children in order to be able to do the special work at LITTLE EDEN,” she said. “It’s the frailness of the children that makes me want to care for and protect them.” Lilly finds joy in the mornings as she walks into Boitumelo Wing and every child excitedly greets her in his or her own way. Grant always gives her a ‘high five’; Mandy pulls her aside and asks for a chocolate; Andries asks about her family every morning, and how each of them is doing as he calls out their names; Godfrey
shouts for her attention if his friends give him a hard time. Lilly responds to them all with amazing gentleness, patience and genuine affection. And she still misses Corrie who, before his death in 2004, used to walk her to the gate every afternoon and wave goodbye. Over the years, Lilly has witnessed many of her charges develop and blossom way beyond their expected level as a result of stimulation, attention and the special therapy made possible by friends like you. Our children have the best of both worlds: daily interaction with carers who really do care – and a wide circle of supporters who make sure their every need is met. Thank you for being part of this circle of caring - and for joining hands with our staff to give these special children the chance to live in peace, security and love.
There’s a nip in the air … ... and our children are in urgent need of cosy socks, tracksuits and sweatshirts to keep them warm. Second-hand items in all sizes and shapes are most welcome. So if you have winter clothing you no longer want or need, please drop it off with us. Our children will be so grateful! 1
Up and running T
wo years ago, we shared some pictures with you of little Pule learning to walk (inset). Distinctly wobbly on his feet, he spent most of his time falling down and getting up again. He had to wear special splints to straighten his feet and attended physiotherapy sessions twice a day. How things have changed! If you pop in to visit Pule in Green wing now, chances are this busy little man will come running to hug you at such speed that you might just get knocked over yourself! Special bond All credit must go to our dedicated physiotherapist, Vanneau. The two share a special bond and now that Pule no longer needs intensive therapy, he often finds a way to slip into the physio room to spend time with his favourite member of staff. He and Vanneau will share a big laugh about how clever he is. But it’s not just his mobility that has come on in leaps and bounds. Pule is able to use his hands and grasp things much better than he used to, and staff encourage him to feed himself, pick up toys and participate in activities like art. He’s also starting to speak in phrases and sentences instead of single words. Best of all, he’s seldom seen without a big, happy grin on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. Thank you for working with us to bring joy to special children like Pule.
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After
Before
It’s in the bag!
ow it’s easier than ever to donate all your unwanted clothes, linen, kitchenware, books, jewellery and so on to LITTLE EDEN – just pick up one of these big sturdy bags from our Edenvale Home or second hand shops, fill it up, write your name on the front and return it. With a family of 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disability to care for (most of whom were previously abandoned or come from indigent families) LITTLE EDEN depends on donations of second hand clothing, linen, toys, etc. for our residents. Any item that cannot be used in either of our Homes is sold through our second hand shops, with the proceeds going towards the cost of caring for the children. Visit our second hand shops at Shamrock Village, cnr. Shamrock/ Rietfontein Roads, Primrose, and cnr. 3rd Street/8th Avenue, Edenvale for great bargains too!
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No stopping me now! Pule is coming on in leaps and bounds.
Pray for us O
ur work at LITTLE EDEN began over 40 years ago in response to a call from God, channelled through Domitilla Rota Hyams. Although she received the call, it did not come from her. She simply obeyed it and, in doing so, began a work of service that must – and will – continue as long as God asks it of us. We believe we are the ‘hands of Jesus’ – loving and caring for these special children as He would have done – and we depend on His love and guidance as much today as we did 40 years ago. Please pray for the children and all who care for them at LITTLE EDEN. Help give us the strength and resources we need to carry on this work of dedicated service.
DIARY DATES Sat 6 October : 16 & 17 November : 23 & 24 November:
Happy Feet Fun Walk at the Johannesburg Zoo Christmas Concert at the Edenvale Home Christmas Concert at Elvira Rota Village
Please visit our website for more information on upcoming events: www.littleeden .org.za
New kids on the block
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hanks to ongoing support from friends like you, we’ve been able to open our home and our hearts to eight new children over the past few months. We invite you to meet some of them here: Perfect (pictured above) was born prematurely four years ago, and requires ongoing medical attention. Despite this, we are helping him develop to his full potential. 7-year old Thandi has hemiplegia. She is blind and cannot walk or talk. In Lilac wing, she enjoys the quiet, peaceful environment she needs, without too much stimulation. Simphiwe will also be turning 7 this year. His mother died while giving birth to him and although his Granny loves him dearly, she cannot provide the 24 hour care he needs. Neo has severe epilepsy, but enjoys being part of an active and interactive group in Green wing. Tinyeko cannot walk or crawl or even sit on the floor unsupported. But she loves interacting with the other children and staff. She moves about by pulling herself with her arms, and makes up for her limited speech by using sign language.
“None should be tormented because they are born different.”
- Nelson Mandela
Reflections on the past On 14 November 2011, we bid a sad farewell to Delon van Eeden, who came to LITTLE EDEN as a 3-year-old in 1976, and spent the rest of his life here. These words, written by his brother, Fritz, belong to you as much as to us ... ‘
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would like to take this opportunity on behalf of my family to thank the sisters and staff at LITTLE EDEN for looking after my brother so well during his life. I remember coming to LITTLE EDEN at a very young age to fetch Delon. At first I was scared by the children who were different. At that stage, I didn’t realise my brother was different. As the years went by, I came to appreciate what a special place LITTLE EDEN was and what wonderful care the staff provided for the kids who live there. At stages in my life I felt guilty for leaving my brother in a Home, but came to realise that people like myself do not have the skills to take care of children such as Delon. It takes special people with a lot of love, patience and dedication. Please continue with the good work you are doing. I believe that Delon is in a better place now, where he is free to talk, run and enjoy himself.’
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ELVIRA ROTA VILLAGE NEWS
A new life for Ahmed
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ne look at that huge smile and you know how much Ahmed is enjoying his new life on the farm! We’ve always known that Ahmed’s abilities were more suited to our Elvira Rota Village than the more confined environment of the Edenvale Home. But there was one problem – the severe, chronic asthma, from which he has suffered ever since being admitted to LITTLE EDEN at the age of five. We felt it was essential for him to be close to expert medical treatment. But, at the beginning of the year, with his asthma under control, we made the decision to move him. And it’s been a huge success. He’s thoroughly enjoying his new home and all his new friends, who have similar mental abilities. Bubbly Despite his sad background – he was severely neglected by his parents and suffered a cardiac arrest which left him with Cerebral Palsy – Ahmed is a friendly, bubbly boy who loves motor bikes and his bright purple Barney, which of course went with him to the farm. We are committed to giving him a home for the rest of his life – something we could not do if not for the amazing generosity of our wonderful supporters. Thank you for being part of Ahmed’s life.
Life’s great! Ahmed has taken to life on the farm like the proverbial duck to water!
Birds, butterflies and hedgehogs
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A Among the h bi bird d species i seen at our wetlands l d are (from left to right) green backed heron, yellow billed duck and barn owl. We recently added a thousand native fish (e.g. vleikurpers) and have lots of butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and even a family of hedgehogs.
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he wetlands at Elvira Rota Village are alive with bird and insect song, fluttering wings, the silver flash of fish and the croaking of frogs. Among the 86 different bird species spotted enjoying this natural paradise are yellow billed duck, dwarf bittern, green backed heron, grass owl, rock kestrel, barn owl, marsh owl and even a fish eagle. The project, which began as an environmentally friendly solution for managing waste on the farm, has developed into a peaceful sanctuary enjoyed by the children, staff and visitors alike. Neighbouring farmers are getting in on the act too, and starting adjacent wetlands. From the beginning, the children were an integral part of the project; their participation was a source of hours of fun and enjoyment. In spite of their disabilities, they understand the need to protect our environment and the importance of trees, birds, insects and water. Please feel free to visit our wetlands – just phone 011 609 7246 first so we know to expect you.