Every day for more than two decades volunteers have run a daily workshop for intellectually impaired adults in Kloof. Their ultimate dream? To provide a secure home for these members when their families can no longer care for them.
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Careways and its workshop programme which is run daily at Kloof Methodist Church. Under the direction of Tina Smith and Tozama Nodada, the workshop provides an integrated programme of academics, pottery, crafts, cooking, baking, sewing, life skills, and a range of other activities and outings. Music, exercise and dancing are also enjoyed, and there is never a shortage of fun, laughter and warmth in the workshop space that can cater for up to 18 individuals a day.
“Careways is about just that – ways to show care,” says Barbara Taljard, a parent of a long-standing member of Careways. “The value of the organization in the lives of its members is paramount to their ability to thrive because they thrive on feeling cared for, for who and what they are, without prejudice or condescension. There’s something truly special in being able to care for each other. It makes life more meaningful.”
Careways was established, in 1997, by a group of parents of intellectually impaired children, to provide facilities for them within the community. In 2000, Careways was registered as a non-profit organization and for almost 12 years volunteers from KwaNdengezi Methodist Church have run a second workshop every Wednesday. Sadly, this workshop recently stopped due to transportation and the costs involved in getting members from A to B.
Apart from a small monthly grant, there is very little allocated in the national and provincial budgets to provide for the needs of this group of special people. The result is that private groups and organizations are depended upon to provide most of the nurturing and care.
The success of the organization can not only be measured by the contentment of its members and their respective families, but also by the many incredible milestones that have been reached. Careways boasts two Olympic achievers, Peter Lundy (swimming) and Charles Phillips (gymnastics), both of whom defied the odds of Down Syndrome in their relative sporting fields.
By providing a stimulating atmosphere and offering a variety of activities and outings to those attending, the NPO has set the bar high when it comes to encouraging self-esteem and helping its members to socialise, develop friendships with peers and ultimately find their place in society.
“Sometimes the only thing your students need most has nothing to do with what’s on your lesson plan,” says Tina, who encourages the public to pop into the workshop at 4 Parklane, Kloof any time during the week to see what happens at Careways.
One of the organisations biggest dreams is to establish a permanent home where members will be secure when their families can no longer care for them – the idea is lifelong care in residential facilities, respite care and eventually frail care as a long-term objective. They have raised a certain amount towards this project, but still have a long way to go.
While a small steering committee, made up mainly of family members, is always exploring new ways of funding running costs of Careways, they’re hard at work, year round, organising events like the Dinner & Dance, Golf Day, Zumbathon and, a favourite among the members, the Careways Craft Market where members also get to exhibit their own work, and their skills really are impressive.
Since the money raised from these events alone sadly isn’t sufficient, Careways relies on donations from generous sponsors to help sustain the work they do … from craft materials that make the world of difference to members and their care givers, to a new school bus to cater for outings and the funding to build and equip a permanent residential care facility.
There are so many ways in which you can help … volunteering, donating educational materials, supporting fundraising events or even a cash donation. If you would like to contribute to Careways’ project, contact Chairman Reverend Peter Crundwell on 083 230 0034 or Tina Smith at the Kloof workshop on 082 897 0085.
Details: www.carewayskzn.co.za
