Making a difference in the lives of the disabled
The care givers at the Rainbow Daycare Centre dedicates their lives to helping the children born with disabilities.
A passion for helping is what drives the caregivers of Rainbow Daycare Centre to make a difference in the lives of children who are born with disabilities.
According to social worker and project manager, Tatum Solomons, the centre started in 1994.
“It was initiated by a social worker from the West Rand Association for People with Disabilities who recognised the need for stimulation among disabled children.”
Although the centre started out in the Toekomsrus library with a mere five children, they moved to a bigger building, JCI Building in Main Reef Road, in 1996.
They are currently taking care of more than 40 children, between the ages of three and 18-years with mental and physical disabilities as well as children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
“Seeing that it can be difficult to work with these children, we are fortunate to have caregivers who are parents of disabled children.
“The other of the caregivers are more than capable to work with these children and have a passion for their work,” says Tatum.
She explains that the daycare centre is split into two groups namely the stimulation group and the profound group.
“The profound group consists of children who cannot cope on their own and needs assistance with everything and are wheelchair bound.
“We have caregivers who look after them and feed them.
“On the other hand, we have the stimulation group – this is a group of children who needs special attention to get them ready to go to mainstream or special schools,” says Tatum
Seeing that the daycare centre is a non-profit organisation, they host several fund raisers to raise additional money for the centre.
If anyone wants to contribute towards the centre please contact Tatum on 011 693 6841.
For more articles about the Ranibow daycare centre, click here.
