Little Eden Society (LES) was established in 1967 and licensed with the Department of Health as a registered nonprofit organisation (001-827 NPO).
The Society (PBO 930/0000/03) is an approved Public Benefit Organisation in terms of section 30 of the Income Tax Act (Act), and has been granted section 18A status, which means that donations to the Society are deductible in terms of Section 18A of the Act.
LES' mission is to care for, develop and enhance the quality of life, with love and understanding from a dedicated staff, persons with intellectual disabilities of all races and creeds entrusted to the organisation, by providing with trust in Divine Providence, and in cooperation with the parents, the community and the State, the necessary spiritual, nursing, therapy and stimulation services in as an efficient and economic manner as possible.
LES was established in 1967, founded by the late Domitilla Rota Hyams, who has received numerous awards in recognition of her pioneering work over the past four decades. “These children, with a far-away look, have souls more beautiful than the sun. They are angels. They are like lightning conductors on whom we should gaze with veneration. God could have created them normal, but they are as they are. There must be a reason for it which we cannot fathom. So we accept their creation as God’s design and accept them as a sign of His predilection,” Domitilla Rota Hyams.
The aim of the organisation is to develop persons with intellectual disabilities to their full potential and to encourage the community to recognise that each such person is a whole and complete person created by God with a mind, a body, a spirit and a soul …however disabled.
The organisation is a very special place that cares for three hundred children and adults who have profound intellectual disability. At LES there is a belief that the needs of every individual is of equal importance and people with severe intellectual disability should enjoy the rights and benefits that are offered to all South Africa’s citizens so that they can aspire to be the best that they can be. The majority of these children have been abandoned and marginalised by society. People with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and live in social exclusion. The nature of the work carried out at LES is underpinned by the values of respect, sanctity of life and love and care for the individual.
Residents
LES cares for 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disabilities, ranging from the ages of two to 61 years. Statistically, the average age of our residents is 23 years, but the level of mental functioning is that of a one year old and younger. Of our 300 children, currently 238 were previously abandoned or come from indigent families who are unable to support them financially or otherwise. Some are HIV positive or have AIDS. Dealing with the terminally ill or dying forms part of the work carried out at the organisation. Most of the residents stay with at LES until they die. Some residents have been there for over 40 years and for many, LES is the only home they will ever know.
Facilities
LES consists of two centres; one in Edenvale, the Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home (DDHH) with 180 children and adults and the other on a smallholding in Bapsfontein, Elvira Rota Village (ERV) with another 120 residents.
The two centres are quite different in design and layout. The DDHH caters more at the level of frail care as well as having a full therapy programme. At ERV there is a greater emphasis on participation in activities of daily living with, to a very limited degree, a certain level of independence. LES is very proud of our beautiful Homes and facilities and therefore uphold a non-negotiable standard of cleanliness and maintenance in general.
Care Programmes
Daily caring of residents at LES forms the core work of the organisation. In this regard the organisation has established a number of ongoing care programmes including:
Medical
- Medical care by volunteer doctors, dentists and psychiatrists;
- A nursing sister is on duty 24-hours a day;
- Daily medications for 230 residents;
- Daily chest therapy which is critical to many of the residents; and
- Emergency interventions as required.
Individual personal care
- Sleeping cots and wheelchairs;
- Feeding (5 x 300 meals per day);
- Clothing and nappy changes (2 500 nappies are washed daily, apart from 3 tons of linen and clothing for all the residents); and
- Personal hygiene support (bathing, hair care and teeth brushing).
Daily therapies
- Occupational-, hydro-, physio-, music-, pet therapy, art, metamorphosis and reflexology.
Set daily routines
- This makes the residents feel secure with a sense of belonging.
Individual care and stimulation – Paulos learned how to lift first his left and then his right hand. With months of dedication Sonto learnt how to eat and enjoy solid food. Jacuzzi helps Suanrie’s spastic muscles to relax and a combination of therapies keeps Ahmed’s severe asthma at bay. The children are also exposed to relationship and social skills development.
Family and love – To the 300 residents, LES is their family and source of love, critical to them reaching their full potential. They also learn how to socialise and interact with staff and one another.
Spiritual development and support – A Chapel has been established at DDHH, Our Lady of the Angels, and at ERV, Holy Family Chapel, specifically to cater for and support the spiritual life element of all residents.
Participation in concerts and creative activities – The children participate in creative activities and have produced artwork on display in the Homes. Beautiful concerts are put together with the hard work and dedication of staff and give the children a sense of belonging and achievement when the audience applauds.
To view the Little Eden Society in the Prodder NGO Directory, click here.
