Freedom from pain … improved posture, breathing and digestion … and the chance to look more easily at the world – this is the gift you can give a child with disability.

 

Many of the children and adults at LITTLE EDEN are severely affected by cerebral palsy, which causes impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and skeletal abnormalities.

 

They can’t sit on their own or control their limbs. And traditional wheelchairs or strollers don’t provide the postural support they need. Our ‘angels’ need special Madiba buggies – a bucket seat type of wheelchair with back, side, seat and head cushions to fully support them.

 

We can also add wedges or triangular cushions to prevent arched backs … foot rests … and tables that also act as effective arm rests. But it all costs money.

 

Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful supporters, we’ve already raised enough to upgrade 48 wheelchairs. But we still have another 141 to go. Please will you help, by making a donation online now?

 

Your gift of R1 470 will cover the full cost of upgrading one wheelchair. R750 covers the cost of high density foam for a set of wheelchair cushions. R400 pays for washable, breathable, waterproof covers, and R300 pays for the thin foam lining inside the Madiba buggy – as well as glue, straps, Velcro and thread for stitching the covers.

 

Any amount –  donated online now will help us reach our goal of upgrading all 189 wheelchairs used by our precious residents.
Make a donation

Your gift not only makes a big difference in the lives of children and adults with profound intellectual disability – it also sets you apart as someone who is kind, compassionate and generous. Someone who is deeply appreciated and admired by everyone at LITTLE EDEN. Thank you for having a heart for children and adults who spend all day, every day, in a wheelchair.

Pictured above: Thin foam is fastened inside the Madiba buggy (1), then the waterproof cover is added (2), side pieces are fitted (3) and back and headrest added (4). Thando is placed in the buggy (5), side pieces are adjusted for maximum comfort (6) and Thando’s quality of life is enhanced (7).

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Disabled child supported in wheelchair

By adding a table and neck cushion to his wheelchair, we helped Keneilwe sit more comfortably. Imagine what comfort your donation will bring to another child like this!

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OUR HOMES

LITTLE EDEN has two residential homes, providing 24-hour care for children and adults with profound intellectual disability – Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home in Edenglen, suitable for younger and more severely disabled children, and Elvira Rota Village, a farm in Bapsfontein ideally suited to those who are more mobile, older or higher functioning.
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MEET THE CHILDREN

Dumi has a form of cerebral palsy known as severe Dystonia and is unable to move or speak. But we’ve discovered that her level of understanding is very high. During her ‘good’ moments, she is able to co-ordinate her muscles enough to speak and will answer questions appropriately, using single words. Sometimes, we may even catch her laughing at a joke!

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PLACEMENTS

LITTLE EDEN caters for people with profound intellectual disability – those who are classified as uneducable – of all races and creeds. Priority is given to those who have been abandoned or abused, or who come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. Once accepted into the LITTLE EDEN family, they remain with us for life.

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VOLUNTEER

Students wishing to do community service at LITTLE EDEN should note that community service hours may only be accumulated during weekdays, from 08:30 to 12:30. Afternoons, weekends and public holidays are NOT available. School holidays are ideal. Please contact Nichollette Muthige on 011 609 7246 to make arrangements.

For more information about local and international volunteers, please email info@littleeden.org.za.

8 ways to support LITTLE EDEN

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Planning a fundraising initiative for LITTLE EDEN?
Please ensure that you inform LITTLE EDEN before initiating the fundraiser.

If you are concerned about a request for donations, please call LITTLE EDEN
on 011 609 7246 or email info@littleeden.org.za to confirm validity of the appeal.

Latest News

He did it!
He did it!
Our Comrades Marathon man, Matthew Maullin completed the race in a time of 10:19 – and raised a total of R49 611.41 (including a R25 000 match donation from Thinkst.com) for the children of LITTLE EDEN. Thank you so much for choosing our organisation to benefit from your awesome run, Matt! And thanks to everyone..Read More
July 8, 20190
Possible Cause for Beatification for LITTLE EDEN Founders
Possible Cause for Beatification for LITTLE EDEN Founders
In a move which has been described as a major event for the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg, and the country, the recent plenary session (August 2018) of the South African Bishops’ Conference, approved, and laid the foundations for the opening of the Cause of possible beatification and canonisation for Daniel (Danny) and Maria (Domitilla) Hyams,..Read More
May 29, 20190
HR director admits to cutting corners during the LITTLE EDEN Wheelchair Challenge
HR director admits to cutting corners during the LITTLE EDEN Wheelchair Challenge
Multotec HR director, Michael Budynkiewics, is the latest participant in our Wheelchair Challenge. His wheelchair was delivered the day before the challenge, and he immediately wondered how he would cope. At 7.25am on 29 March, he sat in the chair for the first time. At first, it felt comfortable and he thought everything would be..Read More
May 15, 20190
This beard must go!
This beard must go!
Meet Matthew Maullin – runner and LITTLE EDEN supporter. Matthew is tackling his first Comrades on 9 June – and, with your help, he’s hoping to raise R30 000 towards the care of our special angels. Please support Matthew’s fundraiser at Back-a-Buddy. In return, Matthew has promised to shave off the beard that has taken..Read More
May 14, 20190
Michael Vieira Cardoso from Flender (Pty) Ltd reports back on the Wheelchair Challenge
Michael Vieira Cardoso from Flender (Pty) Ltd reports back on the Wheelchair Challenge
“Thank you for having an initiative such as this, allowing me to have the experience I just had. I was surprised at the ache in my body after spending the day in the wheelchair. This made me realise the discomfort that comes with having to spend one’s life in one. I was also very alive..Read More
April 11, 20190
Staff at Boake Inc join Wheelchair campaign
Staff at Boake Inc join Wheelchair campaign
Chairman of LITTLE EDEN, Doug Boake, not only participated himself in our Wheelchair challenge – he also encouraged six other members of staff at Boake Incorporated to join in. Afterwards he wrote: “When we built our offices in Bedfordview 12 years ago, we thought we had complied with all the laid-down regulations concerning handicap persons..Read More
March 18, 20190
LITTLE EDEN CEO, Xelda Rohrbeck, takes the challenge
LITTLE EDEN CEO, Xelda Rohrbeck, takes the challenge
Our CEO was one of the first to support the 2019 LITTLE EDEN Wheelchair Campaign. These are her thoughts about the experience: Spending a day in a wheelchair … at first it came across as an intriguing experience, something I have not given much thought to, prior to our LITTLE EDEN campaign. However once this..Read More
March 5, 20190
Experience the CEO Wheelchair Campaign
Experience the CEO Wheelchair Campaign
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan It’s hard to imagine CEOs and top-level influencers as vulnerable or helpless. They are powerful players in the South African economy; they rule their organisations and guide them towards success. But what if they were..Read More
January 17, 20190
Changing lives – one day at a time
Changing lives – one day at a time
Towards the end of last year we shared Yanga’s story with you, because it illustrates so clearly how even the most challenging case can benefit from patient, continuous encouragement. Yanga is visually disabled and severely affected by Downs Syndrome, but over the years we’ve encouraged him to discover colours, textures and sounds … and best..Read More
January 9, 20190

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