Prism Training Centre for special needs children, Ermelo
The centre began as a mere empty building with just the bare minimum.
The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ perfectly describes the Prism Training Centre for special needs children.
Gerda Smuts, who opened the school in 2020, shortly before Covid-19 hit, pleaded with the community to open their hearts to the school’s learners and help her give them the best opportunity to thrive in this world.
The centre began as a mere empty building with just the bare minimum, and grew to what it is today.
Although the school still needs a lot of help, Smuts never gave up on the kids and got things done with the little help she had received from the community.
Her dreams are to liven up the school with beautiful walls, to have a sandpit for the kids and to one day have an open space for the learners with cerebral palsy to play.
Smuts obtained her BEd degree in 2009 and began teaching at Hoërskool Ermelo.
A few years later, she accepted a position at Netherland Park Secondary School, and although she has a passion for helping and teaching children and enjoyed every moment at both schools, she felt the need to do more.
She always spoke to some of her friends about her dream to open a school for special needs kids, but it just never felt like the right time.
In 2019, Smuts impulsively decided to resign from her job and follow her dream.
Smuts said she had a calling from God to open the school, but knowing the costs to set it up, she was a bit hesitant and tried to stall.
She opened the Prism Training Centre in 2020 shortly before Covid-19 hit.
“Two parents who desperately wanted the school to keep its doors open helped us through this tough time, and we knew that after that, we could not just give up on a chance to give these children a place to feel safe
and loved.”
Any donations of food, toys or maintenance materials will help Smuts and her assistant, Khetiwe Dlamini, to continue to make a difference.
If anyone in the community would like to make a donation, contact Smuts on
084 427 9730.
Donations to the school can be made to this account: Prism Training Centre, FNB, branch code 210835, Gold business account, number: 63012398061.
