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

Our Staff

With most of the children requiring individual, round the clock care, LITTLE EDEN depends on the dedication of 236 specially trained members of staff. Staff work in shifts to provide a continuous service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year!

The children are bathed, teeth are brushed twice a day and they are massaged, turned, carried and nursed. Most residents also receive medicine at least twice a day.

The teachers and therapists work with the children at their level and in some instances progress is not apparent. It can take months and even years to see some level of development. However, the children's contentment and completeness is the progress.

In our industrial kitchens, 300 meals are prepared five times per day and the industrial laundries ensure that 2 500 nappies are washed daily, apart from linen and clothing for all the residents.

Caring for the carers

carer

It's difficult to imagine a more demanding job than caring for a child with profound intellectual disability. Many of our residents require the same level of attention as babies - they have to be lifted in and out of beds and wheelchairs, washed, dressed, fed and played with. Nappies need frequent changing. Teeth and hair have to be brushed and noses wiped. The work is physically exhausting and emotionally draining. You need patience and a very special kind of love to carry on, day after day.

LITTLE EDEN runs a special Care for the Carers programme for our wonderful staff, aimed at relieving stress, restoring well-being and recharging energy. Relaxation and breathing exercises, vocal toning and GIM (Guided Imagery through Music) are used to soothe and restore staff.