Keanan Harmse
Keanan.Harmse@novusmedia.co.za
A special-care centre in Elfindale celebrated the installation of a new special-needs play park on its property recently.
The Sunrise Special Care Centre (TSSCC) was launched in May 1988 due to a pressing need for a safe space for mentally-challenged children, recalled principal of the centre Hein Kruger.
It is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) jointly funded by the Department and Health, Social Development, Education and various donors.
“Eventually a space was secured at St Gerard’s Catholic church in Parkwood,” Kruger related, “and, in January 1989, the centre opened its doors to just seven children. That number soon grew to 16 attending daily and today it is licensed for 30 children.”
Recently, after years of having no outside playing equipment for its learners, the centre was gifted playpark equipment consisting of a roundabout for the disabled and wheelchair swings on Thursday 29 May.
The park equipment was donated by the Department of Social Development and Ravelstone.
“We were in need of a special-needs playground and the Department of Social Development granted us the funding for this particular project. The slabs for the playground were sponsored by Revelstone. Now the children have access to this play ground, which otherwise would have not been possible. It is such joy to see our children experience the fun of riding on this play equipment.”
Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate was happy the centre’s learners would have easy access to the playpark facilities and was thankful to all the role-players involved in the launch.
TSSCC supports children from ages four or six years, and five caregivers takes care of them five days a week.
The building it occupies once housed a clinic.
The centre also serves the communities of Parkwood, Grassy Park, Retreat, Lavender Hill, Capricorn, Steenberg, Plumstead and Wynberg.
There is currently a great demand for volunteers to assist with running programmes at the centre.
“At the moment our needs are volunteers at the centre to relieve the caregivers when they go on breaks or just to assist in the everyday care of the children. We are also in need of people to sit on the managing board to steer and manage the centre with their skill and experience.”
.For more information phone Kruger on 083 375 8955.
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