It's our monthly Projects Meeting when we look at existing projects. This month John Anticevich will be talking about the Little Eden Society.
Little Eden consists of two facilities, The Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home in Edenvale and the Elvira Rota Village in Bapsfontein. Life-long care is provided for 300 adults and children with profound intellectual disabilities. The average age of residents is 27 and their average mental age is that of a one year old. Some function at a new-born level and need to be fed, carried, changed and bathed whereas others are able to feed and dress themselves.
Many of the residents suffer from severe mental illness, disturbed behaviour and multiple physical disabilities.
As you can imagine the cost of care is very high as 24 hour nursing is necessary and it works out at an average of over R14 000 per month per resident.
We have already assisted in a number of ways and specifically in assisting with a new tractor for the Elvira RotaVillage
Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home
Smaller children and those requiring intensive medical care generally live at our Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home, situated at 79 Wagenaar Road in Edenglen.
Built on one level for wheelchair accessibility, the Home comprises seven wings, where the children live in groups according to age and ability. There is a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, administration office, therapy centre, chapel, games hall and workshop.
Each of the 150 children has his or her own bed or cot; many also have specially adapted wheelchairs to assist them in sitting upright. Their days are spent in bright, airy and colourful rooms, where they are encouraged to participate in various activities and therapies according to their needs and level of development.
Elvira Rota Village
Some of the older and more mobile residents are better suited to life at Elvira Rota Village, our 43ha property in Bapsfontein, where they enjoy the freedom of being able to go for walks in the sunshine, ride horses and bikes and bond with our dogs.
Elvira Rota Village from the air. From left, A:Farmyard; B:Main admin buildings; C:Holy Family Chapel; D:Garden of Remembrance; E:Hall and laundry; F:Residents’ wings; G: Pino’s Place (for dual diagnosis residents); H: Riding arena; I:Sensory Garden; J:Labyrinth; K:Boma and chimes; L:Settling ponds; M:Wetlands and dam; N:Pecan nut orchard.
Although some of the residents participate in farming activities such as collecting eggs and processing the pecan nut harvest, this is part of the therapy and stimulation programme, rather than a contribution to the Home’s commercial success.
Those who wish to are encouraged to help with the daily chores – rinsing dishes in the kitchen, folding laundry, or just ensuring the village is free of litter. Activities such as these provide a sense of achievement and ‘belonging’ which adds to their wellbeing.
They receive weekly payment for their work in the form of treats, such as a packet of crisps, a chocolate and a cooldrink. They are very proud of their responsibilities and take them seriously.
Apart from the necessary living and therapeutic facilities, Elvira Rota Village has several unique features:
- a full size labyrinth, offering residents, staff and visitors a powerful relaxation, meditation and spiritual tool;
- a set of chimes, built near the wetlands, for music therapy with a difference;
- a sensory garden where residents can touch, smell and taste different plants
Our core Values extend to the environment. The water reclamation system at Elvira Rota Village was designed to create a wetlands area where many birds, fish, frogs and insects have taken up residence. Waste is filtered through a series of ponds, a reed bed and a waterfall before flowing into a dam – at which stage it is safe to drink.
Next Week
Ulinda Lotz will be talking on Zamazamas and the issues regarding them in Riverlea where she lives.
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