An Introduction

 

The Genesis Centre for Persons With Disabilities is situated in an isolated township called Hartebeesfontein, some 55 km out of Brits in the North West Province of South Africa.

Two local ladies, who had seen how the mentally disabled children were living and being treated in Hartebeesfontein, started the Genesis Centre. They took up the challenge in 1993 and on own initiative started to care for these unfortunate children.

They erected a wood and iron shed and encouraged families to bring their disabled children to be looked after and fed at the centre rather than being locked up as they were seen to be a burden and disgrace to the family. For many this meal was the only substantial food they received. It was not long before the number had grown far in excess of what could be accommodated in the tiny tin shack.

A deceased member of the Rotary Club of Brits, Denville Beaton, brought the plight of these children to the attention of Elsje. The effect on her was traumatic and she became determined to find ways of making a difference to the lives of these children. The support received from RC Brits Rotarians was spontaneous and tremendous and the club soon adopted Genesis as one of their projects. This all happened during 1995.

Negotiations with the local council for a piece of ground were successful with them donating a double erf to Genesis to be used to develop the Centre. From then on it was scheming, begging and persuasion all the way.

Two redundant bus bodies were obtained from the local bus company to be used as temporary accommodation. The bus company even undertook to transport and place these old bodies on foundations. RC Brits members erected toilets, connected a water supply, installed electricity and erected shade cloth on frames over the busses to create shade as they were too hot to live in.

RC Brits undertook a massive fund raising effort and were successful in obtaining sufficient funds to start building a permanent home for Genesis. An architect, Brits Rotarian Marj Tunmer, did the design and drawings and also oversaw the building operations. The club was successful in getting three matching grants to install the services and furnish the building, which was finally completed and occupied in January of 1999.

The Genesis Centre

RC Brits has supported the Centre all these years by way of providing food, electricity and a stipend for the three volunteer ladies who look after and teach the children. Clothing and jumble is collected and sold as fund raisers, collections are held and donations are sought. The Centre does not receive any assistance what so ever from the state or local Government. Many months there is just not enough to be able to give the ladies even the tiny stipend they so rightly deserve.

Can you imagine the dedication needed to look after a group of mentally disabled children when the only reward you can expect is the appreciation shown by the children and possibly a plate of food each day.

Maria, cooking lunch for all of them

They have a vegetable garden of their own and the children love helping to keep it growing. We have managed to get a further matching grant to drill and equip a water well to provide water for the garden. This will be completed during September and make a great difference as the municipal water supply is erratic and very expensive.

Emily Sono, the headmistress, planting seedlings with some of the boys

There are on average 26 children being cared for at the centre which is actually already more than the three teachers can take care of as most of these children have to be helped with every thing they do, like being fed, taken to the bathroom and cleaned regularly never mind still trying to teach them and keep them occupied all day.

13 of the children have been there since Genesis started and it is wonderful to see how they have improved in their ability to help themselves since they have been receiving some attention.

Teacher Willemien, helping Philip with a puzzle

There are many more children who need the love and care that is available at Genesis but we just do not have the funds to keep the centre going at the present level never mind accommodate any more.

Elsje has been supporting and looking after the centre since 1995 and still visits every week. A local farmer donates vegetables and she collects and delivers these on her weekly visit.

Elsje, getting ready for visit and delivery of food and vegetables to Genesis

The constant battle to find means of raising funds and providing for these people has become to great a responsibility and burden for her hence the request for support.

The budgeted cost of caring for each child is only US$38.00 per month.

Our request is for you to adopt some of these children by sending Genesis $38.00 per month per child. This will ensure that these children continue to receive the love and care they so desperately need and which Rotary can, with your help, provide through Genesis.

All funds are administered by RC Brits and you can rest assured it will all go to benefit the children of Genesis.

Your support of these children will be greatly appreciated and feel sure you will also be drawn to them and get to love them once you get to know them via photos and of course meet them first hand when you come and visit. Please come we would love to be able to show you our wonderful country.

Here are the Banking details for Genesis Centre to enable you to make direct transfers. Please let us know when you make a deposit:

Banking details for Genesis Centre

Account Name:	Genesis Centre for persons with disabilities
Bank:	Nedbank (Nedcor)
Branch:	Brits
Branch Code:	187646
Account Number:	1876042036
Swift code:	NEDSZAJJ

Thank you for reading the Genesis story and are just sorry you cannot experience the emotions of joy and hope that we do each time we visit Genesis even after all these years.

Seeing these children makes us realize how fortunate we are, but more importantly how blessed we are that we can, through Rotary, make a little difference to their lives. Hope and trust you will share some of our emotions and see your way clear of helping us to help the children of Genesis.

 

Thanking you for your support

Cliff & Elsje Peake

Tel. 27 83 702 0050

 

Elsje in front of Genesis Centre

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