A Daycare in Delft which has been operating from a garage for the past four years needs help to care for their 23 special needs children.
The Roosendal Special Care Centre operates from 7am to 5pm and clients include children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism.
The children are referred to the centre by hospitals, says owner Matilda Jackson, 49.
Matilda, who runs the daycare from her home with a team of trained staff, says she was inspired by her nephew.
“He had cerebral palsy and I did not understand it or know anything about it. I volunteered at a special needs school a few years ago to gain some insight and that is when I decided this is what I wanted to do with my life.”
She registered the facility in 2015 and even though Tygerberg Children’s, Lentegeur and Red Cross Children’s hospitals all refer patients to the centre, Matilda says she does not get any government funding.
“Everything is [funded] from our pockets. It is not easy, but it is a blessing.
“We need porridge, diapers and wipes. The families we help are mostly from Delft.”
The mom of a five-year-old girl who suffers from epilepsy since she was 11 months old says the daycare is a godsend.
“My child could not speak and I used to have her in hospital almost every week. She speaks fine now and has not had a fit since before Easter. Matilda and her team performed a miracle,” says the grateful mom.
If you would like to assist, contact Matilda on 021 956 0005.