Con Amore School in need of outdoor gyms for its autistic learners
The teachers told Express that they had researched the price of the equipment and it would cost R100 000 for five.
Esther Park’s Con Amore School is in desperate need of funds to buy new, special outdoor gym apparatus for its junior and senior autism learners.
Adriana Janse van Rensburg and Ansie Gildenhuys, heads of the junior and senior autism phases respectively, said they needed equipment that was age appropriate. The phase caters for children aged between seven and 18.
“At the moment the jungle gyms we have are for pre-school children,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“The idea is to get outdoor gym apparatus most parks have these days, like the ones newly installed at Dries Niemandt Park.”
Gildenhuys added: “We recently took all of them to Dries Niemandt Park and our children enjoyed it thoroughly.”
Although the apparatus would be placed in the play area, it would serve a far greater purpose than just for playing.
“It is important for our children to have their gross motor skills stimulated and the equipment we want can serve that purpose. Unfortunately, some of our children are too big for the jungle gyms we have and they struggle to play,” said Gildenhuys.
“The desired equipment will also improve their self-esteem and actually make them feel like teenagers, whereas the ones we have are more suitable for children in pre-school, but unfortunately this is what we can give them.
The two teachers told Express they had researched the price of the equipment and it would cost R100 000 for five.
“The starting price for one is around R9 000, which is quite expensive, and we need help from the community as we hope to have five that would accommodate our children,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“We appeal to individuals and businesses to help us. If we could have 100 businesses and/or individuals donate R1 000 each, we can easily reach our goal. Although the autism phase would use the equipment the most, all the children at the school would benefit from from it.
“Most of our children can’t and don’t run due to their condition and instead of just sitting on the jungle gym during break, the new equipment can help them get a bit of exercise and improve their muscle power.
“We wish we could give them more but there is only so much we can do, which is why we appeal to the community to help us raise funds. Any contribution would be highly appreciated as every drop helps.”
For more information or to donate, contact Ansie on 082 576 7861 or email her on gildenhuysansie@gmail.com
