Creating space for adults with brain disabilities in Ballito

When Rhode van Staden moved to Ballito, she started thinking about how she could accommodate her sister, who has Down syndrome, if she needed to come stay with her.

“I could not find any facility on the North Coast for her,” said van Staden.

“The closest is in Howick, but it’s a home. My sister is not a boarder,” she laughed.

So in July, she started up Kredo, a private institution for adults with brain disabilities. It’s a day facility where the “Kredians” keep busy with creative projects and activities.

“We are a social facility, not a school,” emphasised van Staden, who has recently relocated to Ballito from Gauteng.

Kredo participants also go on field trips, take part in community activities, and educate their community about people with special needs.

“Kredians will not be forced to do any activity that they don’t like doing.

“We strive to accommodate everyone and try to find an activity they like doing.

“They basically come here and do whatever they like to do, there isn’t a curriculum or anything.”

She now has two adults that attend, and has capacity for up to 30. There is both a monthly and daily rate.

van Staden started a similar enterprise in the Vaal area ten years ago, called Lewenslig, which now has sixty adults.

She said that it began when a group of parents and caretakers decided to get the adults in their care together once a week.

Kredo is not profit-driven, but rather a way for adults with brain disabilities to feel a sense of belonging.

“Once they are done with schooling, what do they do? They basically sit at home, and they deteriorate because they miss their friends,” she said.

“They miss socialising with people with disabilities like themselves – they talk a different language with each other.”

Kredo is hosting ladies’ paint and wine nights this Wednesday, September 11, as well as the following Wednesday, September 18, to raise funds for Kredo. Contact Rhode at 083 433 2557.

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