Unveiling the stone are Danny Hyams (co founder), Archbishop Emeritus George Daniel and Giuliano Rota Martir

Sunday 31 January 2010: Holy Family Chapel at Elvira Rota Village dedicated

Sunday 31 January 2010 was and will forever remain a day of great importance in the history books of the LITTLE EDEN Society. Friends from as far afield as Italy and the Netherlands made a special trip to share the celebration as the New Holy Family Chapel was dedicated by Archbishop Emeritus, George Daniel.

During Mass, the children of LITTLE EDEN touched the hearts of the visitors with their beautiful rendition of the well-known Panis Angelicus. They too have waited in eager anticipation of the completed Chapel. When asked what the Chapel means to him, Wayne answered: “Jesus will be closer.”

After the Mass the cornerstone was unveiled by Mr Danny Hyams (co founder) and Giuliano Rota Martir – a family member, who traveled all the way from Italy.

It was a touching moment when Domitilla Rota Hyams officially received the key for the Chapel together with Karen, niece of Caroline Tindall, who was a special friend of the Society, and who gave the very first donation for the Chapel many years ago. Sadly Caroline died the previous night.

After the formalities, the visitors enjoyed a delicious luncheon, sponsored once again by Emperors Palace Casino Hotels and Convention Centre. As always, we are so grateful for their unfailing support.

Santina Rota, a relation of Domitilla from Italy said, “Thank you for this wonderful Mass and the wonderful work that you do here.” Otto and Alexandra, one of our donors from Netherlands said,” We feel so privileged to be here today amongst so much loving care all around. God bless you.”

Below is a record of the progress of the chapel over the past 2 years since the first sod was turned on 6 June 2007.

Chapel update

With the outside virtually complete and looking wonderful - right down to the newly planted trees in the parking area – it's time to start beautifying the inside.

The walls and ceilings are being painted white to take advantage of the wonderful light that streams through the narrow windows on each side of the altar [see bottom picture on the right].

Reaching the highest point of the roof meant creating a tall structure of scaffolding and safety harnesses for the men working up there.

At this point, we're right on schedule and looking forward to the day when we'll finally be able to worship in our new chapel.

Chapel update: Week 27

Most of the brickwork is done, with just the finishing touches being added to the walls. Now, seeing the the parking area level and paved is another huge step forward.

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed in so many ways to the realisation of this dream of our founder, Domitilla Rota Hyams.

LITTLE EDEN is truly blessed to have so many generous supporters and well wishers - and we look forward to welcoming you to the first service held in the brand new chapel.

Week 26: Real progress

How thrilling to see the final building taking shape at last! Our chapel is looking wonderful and we can't wait to hold our first service in it - with every one of our 300 children and adults inside!

Week 25: Up go the walls!

After all the excitement of the roof wetting, work began on the walls of the chapel, which are now midway.

Week 16: completion of Phase I

It was time to bring out the champagne and celebrate the official roof wetting and completion of Phase I of the project well before the end of April deadline.

CEO of LITTLE EDEN, Lucy Slaviero, was there to offer our grateful thanks to our contractors, Engmak (Pty) Ltd and the rest of the team: architect (Leah Altini), project manager (Riccardo Altini), quantity surveyor (Basil Walker), civil engineer (Nirvana Loutan), structural engineer (Gianfranco Talocchino), electrical engineer (Carlo Cecchi) and fire engineer (Tony Hyams), as well as the project co-ordinator (Claudia Altini) – all of whom are involved on a pro-bono basis.

Week 15: final touches

Laying the floor on a building this size was a massive undertaking. We watched with growing excitement as the workmen spent time and effort ensuring the floor is completely smooth and level.

Realisation of a dream for Domitilla and Danny Hyams, the founders of Little Eden

Week 13: 6 April

This has been an exciting week, with the roof nearing completion and the cement floor being poured.

For Domitilla and Danny Hyams, the founders of Little Eden, watching the progress has been like seeing a dream gradually coming true.

The couple, pictured above, have dedicated most of their lives to fulfiling Domitilla's vision of a little paradise for children with disabilities – a miniature Garden of Eden where they could live in perfect peace, safety and love.

Providing a place of spiritual healing and wellbeing, large enough to accommodate all 300 members of the Little Eden family (and their wheelchairs!) is the final episode in this life-long dream.

Our grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way towards the realisation of this dream. We hope you will join us in celebration when the new chapel is finally opened.

Week 13: 30 March

The roof is now almost complete and the workmen have begun pouring the concrete for the floor slab.

Chapel update: 23 March

Week 12 – and here it is! The framework is almost complete and for the first time, we see how the new chapel will look.

Maneuvering the massive steel roof trusses into place was quite a challenge, requiring a special crane and workmen with a head for heights!

Chapel update: 13 March

Week 8 – and the massive concrete pillars that form the framework of the chapel are all pretty much in place. At last we can begin to visualise how the completed building will look – and we can't wait to hold our first service in our brand new chapel!

Chapel update: 9 February

The majority of the foundations have been completed and the first concrete columns cast. However, the pervasive wet weather which has blanketed the country over the past few weeks has impacted on the building schedule and Phase 1 (comprising the groundworks, foundations, columns, floor slab and roof) is now due for completion by end April.

It is possible though that our contractor, Engmak (Pty) Ltd will regain some of the time lost due to the inclement weather. The complete professional team: architect (Leah Altini), project manager (Riccardo Altini), quantity surveyor (Basil Walker), civil engineer (Nirvana Loutan), structural engineer (Gianfranco Talocchino), electrical engineer (Carlo Cecchi) and fire engineer (Tony Hyams), as well as the project co-ordinator (Claudia Altini). are all donating their time and expertise on a pro-bono basis.

Final design details for Phase 2 (detailed drawings and quantity surveyor bill of quantities) are presently underway with the intention of proceeding straight away into Phase 2 at the end of Phase 1 – assuming that Phase 2 funding can be secured.

Once completed, the Chapel will accommodate 100 wheelchairs and 300 seated LITTLE EDEN residents and visitors.

Should you wish to be part of this exciting project in ensuring the spiritual wellbeing of our residents for the generations ahead, you are encouraged to donate online or to contact our CEO, Lucy Slaviero.

17 December 2008

What an awesome moment for our founder, Mrs Domitilla Rota Hyams ... literally watching her long-cherished dream coming true before her eyes!

Although increasingly frail, Domitilla could not miss the long awaited moment when the first load of concrete poured into the foundations. No doubt she also said a quiet prayer asking God's blessings on the new chapel.

After that, it was smiles all round as Domitilla, supported by her daughter Lucy Slaviero, congratulated the construction team on their amazing progress to date.

If you would like to contribute towards the chapel, please click here to donate online.

9 December 2008

Things are really moving along now! The site has been fenced off for the safety of our residents; the excavations for the foundations are just about complete and the first concrete pour is scheduled for this week!

After this though, there will be a break until mid January for the annual builders' holiday. But, providing there is no inclement weather, the project remains on target with the expected completion date end of March 2009.

Please check back regularly on this site to keep track of our progress. And sincere thanks, once again, to everyone who has worked so hard and given so generously to make this dream a reality.

10 November 2008

Work has begun on Phase I – the groundworks, foundations, floor slab, steel structure and roofing! Engmak Construction, the successful lowest tenderer, have been appointed and are established on site.

Huge graders have moved in and the ground is being levelled in preparation for the foundations.

We still don’t have all the funding necessary to complete the project, but are trusting in Divine intervention – which has always played a big part in the story of LITTLE EDEN – and in the ongoing generosity of our friends and supporters.

Donations of building materials such as cement, reinforcing steel and mesh, Chromadek sheeting, aluminium doors and windows and paint would also be most gratefully received. If you can help, please contact Nichollette Zulu on tel. 011 609-7246. Thank you!

6 June 2008

Since we began planning to build a chapel at Elvira Rota Village, costs have risen significantly. But the wonderful response we've had to this particular appeal from companies, family and friends and the local community has given us the faith to carry on with this vital project.

We are very privileged to have acquired the pro bono services of a young professional team of architects, quantity surveyor and engineers. Plans have been drawn and are almost ready to be submitted to the Municipality for approval.

Despite not having all the necessary funds yet we are going ahead, trusting in Divine intervention, which has always played such a major and mysterious role in LITTLE EDEN's progress.

Above all, we cannot disappoint the children, who ask almost daily when they will have their own church.

If you are able to donate materials, time or cash towards the building, we will be so grateful!

6 June 2007

With over 200 children, together with their caregivers, now living at Elvira Rota Village, the time is right to build a church here. We’ve marked out the spot where it will stand, on slightly higher ground in front of the main buildings, and chosen the 40th anniversary of the day of Domitilla Hyam’s vision of Mary – June 6 – to turn the first sod.

Now all we need is the funding to turn this dream into reality. Please help if you can, with a generous donation towards the building of the new church.

September 2003

Regardless of their faith, our children are spiritual beings, created by God. God lives in them – and it has long been our dream to build a small chapel at the Elvira Rota Village for them ... a place where children, staff and parents can find comfort and peace in God’s presence.

The chapel would also serve the greater community, offering services and church activities for all. But as yet, it is just a dream ... which will only come true if we can raise the money to start building.