‘Dutch courage’ for South Coast children

CHILDREN with disabilities often find themselves sidelined in South Africa.

However a Dutch couple, Jan van der Waart (46) and his wife Louise (49) are giving children with disabilities in Gamalakhe a second chance.

In casual conversation, Jan’s cousin Ingrid Olmesdahl, owner of the Bay Tree at the Southcoast Mall, asked one of her waitresses, Cindy Ntini, about the challenges her community faces.

Cindy told Ingrid about the care centre in Gamalakhe, founded by Sibongile Biyela, the mother of a child with a disability. Sibongile and a group of like-minded women from the township accommodate 15 disabled children and teenagers in a small, old house, equipped only with the basics. These woman care for the children with very limited resources.

Meanwhile Jan and Louise, having bought a holiday home in Pumula, were travelling to South Africa frequently and their interest in the physically disabled children at the care centre grew.

In December 2013, Tony Aquila, the founder, chairman and CEO of international company Solera Holdings, Inc., where Jan is employed, sent a video message to all employees, challenging them to take part in LIFT (Life Is Full of Transformation), aimed at supporting those who deserve a second chance.

This inspired Jan to submit his project of creating, supporting and developing the Gamalakhe care centre.

Applications flooded in from around the world and Jan was one of six employees selected to make their ideas become a reality.

The couple makes a dynamic and passionate team. While Jan heads up the project plans, Louise understands the special needs of these children, having worked with intellectually and physically challenged children in Holland for 30 years.

“We make a superb team and it’s a wonderful experience working together as a couple,” said Louise, while Jan added, “Writing a cheque or giving a donation is easy but we need to plant a seed that the community can adopt and grow so they can become self-sustainable.”

He has three main objectives to achieve within a six-month period. The first is to erect a new building in order to provide the children with 24-hour care. There are also plans to make the facility as eco-friendly as possible by installing water tanks and solar geysers .

The second objective is to provide sustainable individual medical care, and the final objective is to instil life-long skills in the children, parents and staff at the care centre.

Quoting Nelson Mandela, Jan said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” He is positive the project will be a blueprint for future projects around the world.

The couple has been amazed at the South Coast community’s interest in and support for the project. Netcare Margate Hospital has agreed to coordinate and assist with the special medical needs of the children, including a nursing assessment of each child, caregiver training and engaging with specialised orthopaedic, ophthalmic and dental service providers.

Margate Round Table 46 has also adopted the project and has assisted Jan in getting it off the ground. “When I heard about the care centre, I thought it would be the perfect project in which to become involved,” said Daniel Momberg, Margate Round Table 46 chairman.

The Hibiscus Coast Municipality has also given its approval and has promised to help facilitate proceedings.

Anyone who would like to assist Jan can contact him at info@lift2life.nl