The Story of how it began ....
The Elundini Educare Centre for the Disabled was conceived in 2008 when the mother of an epileptic 6 year old child approached the church, of which Indy is a member, for help. After the child was briefly hospitalized, she subsequently became paralysed, possibly as a result of the illness being left unattended for too long. Indy prayed for her and dreamed about her repeatedly.
Believing that this was her spiritual calling she established the Elundini Educare Centre for the disabled, it provides all-day care for children in the Du Noon Township of Cape Town, it is the only one of it’s kind in the surrounding informal settlements.
Currently , the home cares for 34 disabled children between the ages of 18 months to 18 years old, ranging from those with mild physical and mental disorders to children who are severely incapacitated. As many children in this underprivileged community have single or unemployed parents, they are subject to being left unattended and vulnerable to abuse.
Friends helped organise containers and on a council-owned vacant piece of land Elundini Centre opened it’s doors offering their services to children living in their community that ordinarily would not have access to such care.
This unsung heroine relies on
volunteer assistance from care givers. Initially Indy funded the project
from her own pocket and used her own vehicle to collect the children each
day. Now the concerned parents most of whom subsist on child disability
grants offer to contribute R100 per month. Sporting their blue Elundini
tracksuits the children are supplied with 3 nutritious meals , the ingredients
of which are also donated. We depend solely on the generosity of the public
and are therefore always grateful for any donations whatsoever.
Elundini has been established on a piece of council owned land, and is currently in the process of being leased legally. Since it’s inception, a small Wendy house as well as a container have been donated by friends and this facility is used to house and protect the children from the elements. They are kept reasonably comfortable despite the fact that the leaking containers are like saunas in the summer and iceboxes in winter. With the assistance of stakeholders, they now have access to water and electricity. Most of the children have to be carried to and from temporary, portable toilets throughout the day. Many are unable to feed or bath themselves, so even their most basic needs are constantly met by these noble women.
Miracles
Happen ......
Through unwavering love, support and attention, miracles have been
achieved. The centre provides more than constant care, it’s a safe haven.
All too often stigmatised by society and cowered into silence, these disabled
children radiate confidence and happiness. Many of them can perform tasks
which some of their counterparts at government-funded special needs schools
have never accomplished, like reading, counting and dancing.
