When Lwandile (Lwa) was admitted to LITTLE EDEN in November last year, he showed no emotion. He looked at us suspiciously out of narrowed eyes and we could tell that he was expecting the worst, perhaps from past experience.

Before he came to us, Lwa spent most of his days and nights alone in a hostel room, with nothing to do and no one to talk to.

Once he settled into Yellow Wing, we made a point of stopping to greet Lwa every morning, and assuring him that he is now safe and that this is his new home. On the fourth morning, Lilly, group leader at the Home, noticed a change in Lwa. He was trying to hold a music shaker and smiled as soon as she spoke to him. His eyes were wide open and shiny.

“I am so proud of our staff,” said CEO Xelda Rohrbeck, who had been following Lwa’s progress with great interest.

“In the space of four days, we were able to restore a little boy’s faith in human kind and give him the confidence to trust us.”

Lwa is just one of many children and adults with profound intellectual disability who’ve found a new lease on life at LITTLE EDEN.

Thanks to our therapy team, Nomfundo who could not speak a word learned to sing beautifully. Now she’s starting to say the words she sings.

Mutshidzi, who also can’t talk, has learned to beckon people with her hand, and can now eat by herself. Gabriel, who used to be very quiet and reserved, now interacts with the other residents and is able to push himself around in his wheelchair.

With every small new milestone achieved, we are grateful for friends like you, who make our work with these special ‘angels’ possible. Thank you for caring!