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For Multi-handicapped Adults

The Connie Mulder Centre for disabled adults is a multi-racial, registered non-profit organisation (NPO 001/078). The Centre provides holistic residential care for 200 multi-disabled adults.
A very important aspect in the treatment program for disabled people is on-going training and life skills development by engaging them in protective workshops. We were, however, forced to close down two of our protective workshops because our sponsors (from the business sector) could no longer supply us with simple, repetitive work, due to financial considerations. The essence of workshops is that: It provides on-going life skills training to our disabled residents; It enhances their quality of life as it improves their self-esteem, dignity, feelings of achievement etc.; and It helps them to become financially responsible as they all receive weekly stipends for their involvement in the protective workshops. At present we have the following protective workshops: A concrete workshop for the manufacturing of concrete poles, slabs, stepping stones, fountains, statues, curbing etc. A brick workshop for the manufacturing of stock, maxi-bricks and paving; A woodwork workshop for the building of new and the restoration of old furniture; A mechanic workshop for the maintenance and servicing of our own vehicles; A bakery for primarily the baking of bread (there are plans to expand this to other activities later); A Q-Bond workshop for the packaging of needles for an outside entity (this is currently our only form of contract work); A sewing workshop for a variety of activities; Some of our residents are also involved in our laundry, the maintenance of our dining hall, our kitchen, the maintenance of our buildings and premises, the cleaning of our hostels and ablution facilities etc. Our very frail residents’ who, because of their age or physical condition, can no longer be part of the protective workshops, are accommodated in a Therapy House. Here their main activities are basic numeracy, literacy, drawing and coloring of pictures etc. Our most common problem in the workshop is the procurement of safety clothes and the maintenance of equipment and machinery. It will also be most helpful if we could get more contract work i.e. simple, repetitive tasks, from outside entities. Our outreach work is centered in Poortje Informal Settlement, where we are rendering services to 110 vulnerable families. In addition we encourage our residents to participate in the annual Cancer Walk, Jan Viljoen 18 Hour Marathon, Cricket Tournament etc. We have initiated a number of fundraising projects to supplement our income in an attempt to meet our ever increasing financial obligations. Here I can mention our involvement in the Randfontein Show where we sell Yankees, our Bingo evening and our Carnival.

It is also part of our treatment

program to expose our residents

to the following annual activities:

A Mr & Miss Connie’s competition for our residents and day workers only; A gala and athletic meeting which is open to all disabled adults from the Gauteng Province; and An Eisteddfod which is also open to disabled adults from Gauteng.
Connie Mulder Centre