Little Eden : caring for persons with intellectual disability

Respect ... Sanctity of Life ... and Love & Care. Our core values are encapsulated in a series of symbols that guide the way the staff and volunteers at LITTLE EDEN respond to children and adults with intellectual disability; to each other as staff; to the environment; and to the larger community.

We believe in the sanctity of life – these special people are precious in the eyes of God and they have a right to be here and to be helped to reach their full potential despite their limitations.

We offer them love and care, provide for their needs, and protect them from harm.

Value symbols

Elvira Rota Village from the air. From left, A:Farmyard; B:Main admin buildings; C:Holy Family Chapel;
D:Garden of Remembrance; E:Hall and laundry; F:Children's wings; G: Pino's Place (for dual diagnosis residents);
H: Riding arena; I:Sensory Garden; J:Labyrinth; K:Boma and chimes; L:Settling ponds; M:Wetlands and dam;
N:Pecan nut orchard.

Elvira Rota Village

What a wonderful place to call home! Some of the older and more mobile residents are better suited to life at Elvira Rota Village, our 43ha farm in Bapsfontein, where they enjoy greater freedom ... being able to go for walks in the sunshine, ride horses and bikes and interact with village pet dogs.

Although some of the residents participate in farming activities such as tending the cows and sheep and processing the pecan nut harvest, this is part of the therapy and stimulation programme, rather than a contribution to the farm’s commercial success.

More recently, those who wished to have been involved in the creation of the wetlands area on the farm and the laying of paving slabs for the labyrinth.

Helping out

Helping in the kitchen

Those who wish to are encouraged to help with the daily chores – rinsing dishes in the kitchen, folding laundry, or just ensuring the farm is free of litter. Activities such as these provide a sense of achievement and ‘belonging’ which adds to their wellbeing.

They receive weekly payment for their work in the form of treats, such as a packet of crisps, a chocolate and a cooldrink. They are very proud of their responsibilities and take them seriously.

Facilities

chimes

Apart from the necessary living and therapeutic facilities, Elvira Rota Village has several unique features:

a full size labyrinth, offering residents, staff and visitors with a powerful relaxation, meditation and spiritual tool;
a set of chimes, built near the wetlands, for music therapy with a difference;
a sensory garden where residents can touch, smell and taste different plants

Caring for the environment

Wetlands

Our core values of Respect, Sanctity of Life and Love & Care extend to the environment. The water reclamation system at Elvira Rota Village ensures that waste is filtered through a series of ponds, a reed bed and a waterfall before flowing into a dam - at which stage it is completely clean.

The large numbers of fish, insects, frogs and birds which live in or visit our wetlands bear witness to the success of this project – and walking to the waterfall is a favourite activity for residents and staff. [More on caring for the environment]

Volunteers

Sisters

LITTLE EDEN attracts young volunteers from all over the world, eager to learn how we care for persons with intellectual disability or to gain valuable work experience. These - and local visitors - have a positive impact on the lives of our children, by enhancing the therapy programme and the activities of daily living.

Recently, three nuns from the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (SIC) in India took up residence at Elvira Rota Village. They will be with us for a year, although we are hoping the order will establish a permanent presence here.

Spiritual development

Holy Family chapel

Although there are many things the residents may not fully understand – just like any other human beings, they have a spiritual side that demands fulfillment.
Sunday worship is very much a part of life at both our homes, with the recently built Holy Family Chapel at Elvira Rota Village able to accommodate the entire
LITTLE EDEN family and their wheelchairs. Visitors are welcome to join us for services at either of our chapels. Please tel. 011 609-7246 for service times.