Holding down her own speech therapy practice while caring for a husband and children is no sweat for philanthropist Luanet Smit, who founded His Hands Care Centre.
The centre, situated in Southernwood, caters for children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities – while also giving them the opportunity to learn.
Smit said she took over the Justin Celby Care Centre after receiving an alert from the therapists employed at her private practice that it was facing closure at the end of December, leaving five staff members in the lurch.
Also worried about the fate of the children enrolled there, Smit took over the lease and together with her mother, father and sister, rolled up her sleeves and cleaned up the building.
After a paint job and a new fence, the building was ready to receive children, with 15 currently enrolled.
Their disabilities range from cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, autism and foetal alcohol syndrome.
Upon enrolling, each child is assessed by a psychologist who draws up an individual lesson plan based on the child’s limits and abilities.
A nutritionist draws up an eating plan too, which Smit said also assists parents at home.
According to Smit, a typical week at the centre sees children receiving not just physiotherapy but also occupational, sensory, cognitive and speech therapy.
“What we’ve done is to separate the school into different classes so the children spend a day in each and move on to another class the next day.
“The youngest child enrolled is two years old and the oldest is 13. Some of the kids still wear nappies while some are fairly independent. We have some non-verbal children as well.”
Funded purely from her own pocket, with some help from her parents, Smit said the centre was in desperate need of a cash injection.
“We do charge fees but many parents rely on their children’s disability grants. Right now only two kids are paying full fees and I have one pupil paying only R600 but I can’t turn any child away,” Smit said, adding that she was still awaiting feedback on her requests from Lotto and the department of social development.
According to Smit, the long days and sleepless nights planning and implementing in her new school become truly worthwhile when she walks into the centre every morning.
“This is truly a labour of love. Coming into the classrooms in the morning and seeing the smiles on these faces makes all of this worthwhile.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
lDO YOU know of any local heroes doing good in their communities? Please let us honour these heroes by telling their stories. You can phone on (043) 702-2242 or send an e-mail to news@dispatch.co.za
Providing help for special needs kids
The centre, situated in Southernwood, caters for children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities – while also giving them the opportunity to learn.
Smit said she took over the Justin Celby Care Centre after receiving an alert from the therapists employed at her private practice that it was facing closure at the end of December, leaving five staff members in the lurch.
Also worried about the fate of the children enrolled there, Smit took over the lease and together with her mother, father and sister, rolled up her sleeves and cleaned up the building.
After a paint job and a new fence, the building was ready to receive children, with 15 currently enrolled.
Their disabilities range from cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, autism and foetal alcohol syndrome.
Upon enrolling, each child is assessed by a psychologist who draws up an individual lesson plan based on the child’s limits and abilities.
A nutritionist draws up an eating plan too, which Smit said also assists parents at home.
According to Smit, a typical week at the centre sees children receiving not just physiotherapy but also occupational, sensory, cognitive and speech therapy.
“What we’ve done is to separate the school into different classes so the children spend a day in each and move on to another class the next day.
“The youngest child enrolled is two years old and the oldest is 13. Some of the kids still wear nappies while some are fairly independent. We have some non-verbal children as well.”
Funded purely from her own pocket, with some help from her parents, Smit said the centre was in desperate need of a cash injection.
“We do charge fees but many parents rely on their children’s disability grants. Right now only two kids are paying full fees and I have one pupil paying only R600 but I can’t turn any child away,” Smit said, adding that she was still awaiting feedback on her requests from Lotto and the department of social development.
According to Smit, the long days and sleepless nights planning and implementing in her new school become truly worthwhile when she walks into the centre every morning.
“This is truly a labour of love. Coming into the classrooms in the morning and seeing the smiles on these faces makes all of this worthwhile.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
lDO YOU know of any local heroes doing good in their communities? Please let us honour these heroes by telling their stories. You can phone on (043) 702-2242 or send an e-mail to news@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos