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Established in 2014 as the only day care centre for severely handicapped children in Kruisfontein, Humansdorp, Rainbow Angels recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with all those who have contributed towards its success.
Founder of Rainbow Angels, Eva Steen who is from the Netherlands, said that when she visited Jeffreys Bay-based Noah’s Ark Pre-School more than 10 years ago, she learned that there were children with cerebral palsy who attended the school since there was no special needs facility in the region.
With the necessary qualifications and experience needed to take care of special needs children, she decided to establish the first day care for severely handicapped children in Humansdorp with five children who were referred to her by Jeffreys Bay-based Timion, a non-profit organisation that manufactures equipment for children with cerebral palsy.
Timion has also assisted Rainbow Angels with equipment needed for the children at the day care.
To ensure that the Early Childhood Development teachers at the day care, which forms part of Victory4All’s educational centres, an organisation created by Johan Vos and his wife Astrid almost 21 years ago, were equipped to take care of children with special needs, Steen said that she offered training to each teacher.
Since its establishment 10 years ago, she said that they expanded the day care and currently have 17 children enrolled at the school with various special needs which include, cerebral palsy, muscle dystrophy, children who suffer from epilepsy, and other handicaps.
“Over the last 10 years, we have had a total of 31 children attend the day care with some relocating and four sadly passing away. We initially had five children in one classroom and now we have 17 children and three classrooms,” said Steen.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, earlier this year R1.8 million was raised to expand the day care to cater to an additional 18 children.
The expansion will include two additional classrooms, a bathroom, and a storage facility.
Steen said that over the last 10 years, they have found that children grow at their own pace, and it is therefore important for them to have patience when dealing with children with special needs.
She said that one of the many amazing stories that they have experienced at the day care was that of 15-year-old Alunga Fulani, who could not use her arms and could not talk when she started at Rainbow Angels in 2014.
Now, after being at the day care for 10 years, Steen said that Fulani can navigate her electric wheelchair, read, write, and talk.
“Each child is unique and needs special attention. We are proud to see the children improve,” said Steen.
“Many people think that children with special needs cannot progress, but they can persevere with help from their parents and community.”
Steen further said that the parents are often surprised and proud to see their children do so well at their first concert after joining the day care.
In celebration of their 10th anniversary, she said they had hosted a party for the staff, physiotherapists, speech therapists, Timion, and the current and former children.
Steen said that they also invited the parents, as well as the parents of the children who have passed on.
“It was so nice seeing everyone at the celebration, especially the children who are no longer at the day care. It was like a reunion,” said Steen.
“We are very proud to have reached the 10-year milestone.”
