Litle Eden - Serviam Day

Today the entire delegation visited two locations of Little Eden, facilities which care for children and adults with severe mental disabilities. We first stopped at the location at Eden Glen in Edenvale. During the tour we were introduced to several different groups. The first group of residents were confined to wheelchairs, and this was a bit of a shock for several of our students. The last group we visited, while also using wheelchairs for the most part, was more mobile. Some of the residents had learned how to manipulate their wheelchairs, and a few of the younger children were actually walking. Our students did a nice job of interacting with the residents we visited, by greeting and waving to them, by smiling (and getting many smiles in return), and by actually taking toys handed to them and handing the toys back with a, “Thank you for sharing.”

 Our second location to visit was the original facility in Bapsfontein. Here the residents are higher functioning and assist the center by working in the kitchen, in the laundromat, and with the crops (corn and pecans). Our group visited with a number of residents during our stay. We were honored when several of the residents would see us and put out their hand for a handshake. After a tour of a special location on the grounds, the sensory walk, we returned to an area near the housing where a group of residents had gathered under a tree to enjoy the nice cool weather. We were treated to a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace by one of the women, and the smile she gave us as we complimented her and clapped was worth more than any of the gold dug up in Johannesburg.

 

 

We returned to Brescia House and the students left with their host sisters to begin the weekend. Many are going shopping, or out to dinner, or visiting each other this evening. The adults had a nice round of tea and discussion at Bryan Manor before a brief rest ahead of being picked up for dinner with one of the teachers. It has been an amazing week here in South Africa and we all look forward to the weekend and the upcoming trip to Kruger National Park.

Note: The group was not able to take photographs of the Little Eden residents so the photos are of the sensory therapy chimes at Little Eden and of our students making a new furry friend. You can see the wonderful work that they do at Little Eden on their Facebook page: 

 

 https://www.facebook.com/LittleEdenSociety/