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 Self-esteem and confidence are important character-building attributes for any person, in order to be the best they can be. We provide love and compassion, as well as a safe place for these special-needs individuals, whilst giving their families peace of mind.  The gold at the end of the rainbow!  We are very grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their ongoing support. |
Friends Day Centre, a non-profit organisation situated in Maitland, Cape Town, originated in 1959 under the name of Jan Prins Day Centre. Jan Prins was an educationist of the philosophical school of Waldorf who believed that every child should get an education, regardless of that child's disability. The Waldorf philosophy encourages universal education for all. In 1975 a new Constitution was drawn up, and the Centre was renamed Friends Day Centre. The Centre has grown from humble beginnings with 5 children to become a leader in the field of intellectual and physical disabilities with our present enrolment of 124 learners.
Friends Day Centre serves the Cape Peninsula, offering learners with profound intellectual disabilities (IQ below 30) appropriate education and developmental training, as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Our learners suffer from various and multiple disabilities. We aim to enhance their quality of life considerably, encouraging a degree of independence and a chance at living a relatively normal life. Our edu-carers continually strive to stimulate and exercise the minds and bodies of their learners, so that with the correct training, the children can be developed to the best of their potential. Friends Day Centre offers relief and support to families living with the tremendous strain of having an intellectually disabled child in the home. We ensure that the affected child has a daily routine, out of the house, learning basic life skills, and thus bringing a level of normality into family life. We currently have 37 learners over the age of 18, with a further 24 turning 18 within the next 5 years. This places severe strain on elderly parents, who struggle to manage grown-up ‘children’. The large number of older learners also decreases space, facilities & staff available for younger learners, who can benefit tremendously by receiving therapies and education as early as possible in order to develop to the best of their potential. Our staff members attend many workshops and seminars during the year in order for them to keep up to date with treatment programmes, and ensure proper maintenance of the learner’s individual nutritional, medical, behavioural & therapeutic needs. They also attend debriefing sessions on bereavement, loss, anger & stress management.
006-245-NPO PBO# 130002579 Sect 18A: 18/11/13/2579 |
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