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Newsletter 28th June 2021
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We have just passed the winter solstice, the days have been cold and wet. Discussing our newsletter for this month with the marketing team, we decided on the theme of self care, rejuvenation and what we need to tap into within ourselves to thrive.
Camphill Village Soccer Team
Disability only exists in the eyes of those who judge or exclude
by James Sleigh

Three weeks ago, our Camphill Village soccer team was approached by a scouting company to be part of the show reel to publicise the 16th Summer Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo this August and September.

After some discussion the director wished to meet our soccer team. We held a Zoom meeting with all of the soccer team, and the director in the UK. Each player introduced themselves to him, and he briefed us on the message that they want to get out to the world. The message is - any disability only exists in the eyes of those who judge or exclude - there is no such thing as a disability if there is no judgement or exclusion.

This message seemed so relevant to each member of our soccer team, and to the team as a whole. It felt like a celebration of the five years of training and work that our team has built upon. 

Five years ago Max and I started this team, both driven by a passion we share for soccer. Max has consistently worked with each player, helping them overcome challenges, building their fitness and skills, and equally importantly, getting each player to understand what it means to be part of a team. The need to support each other and to understand the needs and challenges of those around us, within the perspective of the greater need of the team as a whole.

We have witnessed each player develop as a player, and also as a person. The skills learnt on the field have been incorporated in their social and daily lives - their awareness of others, the support and encouragement they can offer to those around them, and the knowledge that each member of a team is of equal importance. Those of you who have played team sports understand how, when a team plays as one organism, and you feel the support of those around you and know you are contributing equally, thinking and breathing as one organism. There is no greater feeling!  It is what is described in some philosophies as being without self, or without ego, or part of a greater self, and it is addictively attractive!

As a team, we have had many highlights over the years: we have played matches, won trophies, and equally lost matches. We have had outings, watched football matches in the stadiums, trained through the heat of summer and through the cold winter rains. One highlight was playing side by side with professional players from Cape Town City (one of South Africa's premier league teams) in a friendly game. This show reel has been another highlight.

The advertisement was filmed last Friday at sunrise at a location in Cape Town, so the team had to wake up at 4.30, and drive in and be ready on set before sunrise. The director, who directed this remotely from the UK via Zoom, through the DOP (director of photography), managed to reach the essence of each player, and got them to speak up about their abilities. It was quite remarkable to witness.

Well done to all in the team. It really has been a big statement about ability, on so many levels. We look forward to seeing ourselves, and the message - of there being no such thing as disability - broadcast around the world.
Vaccination rollout at Camphill Village
by James Sleigh

Last Thursday morning, through the outreach programme of the department of health, a team arrived at Camphill Village to vaccinate our residents and staff.

Their team, overseen by a very capable sister, set up various stations in our hall - for completing the forms, preparing the needles, and vaccination stations. We set up an observation area, where those who had been vaccinated waited for 20 minutes to check that their bodies had no adverse reactions, before they were allowed to go back to work.

It really was encouraging to see the professionalism and dedication of the team of care workers who made this possible. They were efficient, professional, gentle, and really made us feel positive about the work being done on the ground by those in the department of health. A big thank you to all that made this possible.
Edward

Edward
by Francinah

Edward arrived at Camphill Village 3 years ago unable to walk, unable to take care of himself. He now walks, runs, and is part of our soccer team. How has this transformation been possible? I asked him to share how he has managed to rejuvenate himself?

What is it to be rejuvenated? by Edward Schutte
Many would believe that in my life being disabled has hindered my rejuvenation in different ways. However, it caused me to look twice at how I need to free my mind in order to experience rejuvenation, since rejuvenation does not only come from external, but also internal. My internal way of allowing rejuvenation, is believing in Christ because he has never judged me for anything, instead he promised that nothing is impossible with Him. He is able to move mountains as He is also able to transform one’s life to good, glowing, happy and fresh again. I am saying this out of experience that God has indeed rejuvenated my life from being physically unable, to today being a resident that plays soccer.

In most cases people look at your disability and make presumptions on state of well-being. For example, they will hear that you are living with a disability, then assume that you cannot rejuvenate and want to make decisions for you. Well, this could be an incorrect assumption depending on the severity of your disability. Even though your disability is severe I believe that by freeing your mind and allow God to do His work in your life, you will eventually experience more freedom, positive rejuvenation and peace.

There was a period in my life when I could not walk independently. I had to use a wheelchair for mobility. However, through freeing my mind and challenging myself to allow change, I was able to believe and trust that I still have power to motivate myself in gaining the old strong young self. In about 9 months I was able to stand and walk a short distance; today I can walk longer distances without struggling, I can also play soccer.

My message to the people now is to have a strong belief system and never put yourself down, because that will block you from experiencing your rejuvenation. Life throws you curve balls, but it is up to you on how to handle the curves.
Winter light at Camphill
Surviving winter with joy
by Lise Muller

Driving out of Camphill early a few mornings ago I took my first “winter is here” picture and started thinking about a perfect survival guide to help us turn this into a fun, productive time that also pampers the body and soul.

Gratitude Challenge
Challenge yourself to start each day with appreciation.  Don’t let your first thoughts be about the cold, dark world out there but rather spend time each morning to bring your focus onto all that you and your family are blessed with.  Look at the big picture and celebrate everything that brings joy and warmth to your heart.
  
Get Organised
We have so much stuff in our homes that we do not use.  Spend those rainy days re-organising your drawers and cupboards. Are you in need of inspiration?  There are some awesome videos to watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JttvwDfQmo) They will give you amazing ideas on how best to organise your storage using some really fancy folding, dividers and basket ideas. Make it into a game and you will have your entire family involved in no time, and once the drawers look like masterpieces no-one will want to mess them up again!

Reach Out
Find a charity that resonates with you to pass on all the “stuff” that you decide can go.  There is nothing that warms the heart more than to drop off a bag of clothes or blankets that you know will make a big difference in someone else’s life.  While you are doing this look for ways that you and your family can get involved. Handing over a hot plate of food to a hungry person when you volunteer for a feeding scheme, or feeding/walking dogs that are sitting in kennels is the best way to warm your heart. 

Jojoba Oil ProductsPamper Yourself
It is a must during winter to pamper your body with luxurious hot baths filled with scented bath oils and fragrant, natural soaps.  Camphill makes a wide range of beautiful pamper products that are lovingly made by our residents and use nothing but the best essential oils and planet-friendly ingredients.  The City of Cape Town has launched an online market with the aim to support small businesses in selling their products and we have a wide range of our cosmetics listed.  Please support us by placing your order following the below link https://themarketspot.co.za

Camphill Country RusksTummy Treat
So now for the best bit!  There is nothing better in this world when we are cold than a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate accompanied by a homemade, crunchy, rusk or two!  Camphill Country Rusks are made using stone-ground flour, honey and a wide selection of seeds and nuts, perfect for winter. The Rye Rusks are a real comfort snack and are a great source of fibre and magnesium, and the firm favourite, Butter Rusks, are always a winner with the entire family.  Please check our website for suppliers.  https://www.camphill.org.za/products-overview Here’s to a happy, health and pampered winter!
David
David - Camphill's Goliath
by Lise Muller

The name David has deep Biblical roots and means "beloved”. Watching our Garden Team Leader, David, working everyday in the vegetable tunnels with the residents, you can see that this man is truly beloved by all that he touches and comes into contact with.  Together with his team he has repopulated the tunnels with a selection of veggies and herbs all growing beautifully.  He has a special way with people that make them want to be better and to do better, and this seems to rub off onto his plants as well! 

But life has not always been a bed of roses for David. He was one of 6 children, 3 daughters and 3 sons.  David inherited his mother’s looks, while the rest of his siblings inherited their Dad’s looks, and because of this he was treated very much as an outsider.  When the family went shopping, David had to walk behind his Dad and he was never acknowledged as part of the family.  Even the neighbourhood that he grew up in treated him as though he did not belong.  He was a lonely, isolated child, but there was something in him that, despite all the rejection, gave him a driving passion to help people and try to make them happy.  As a boy he started working as a packer in the local shop and saved all his money to buy a movie projector. On the weekends he would move from farm to farm in the Paarl area, set up the projector in a barn and run a movie for the farmhands.  

At the age of 15 he started working full time for I&J going out to sea daily on their fishing boats.  He worked for them for 30 years and in that time bought himself a house and a bakkie.  He has been married to Ruth (one of our house leaders) for 15 years and they have two sons.

David has been working at Camphill for two years and in that time he has built up a strong relationship with all the residents and staff.  He holds bible study every night for those that want to take part, and his sense of purpose is to make sure that no-one is judged or treated differently just because they don’t look or behave like everyone else.  He has a strong sense of empathy towards everyone and with his happy attitude and great work ethic he is a blessing to all of us at Camphill.
Veggie garden
Hannes Steyn Orthopaedics
These Shoes are made for walking
by Janine Strumpher

Aggie struggles to walk, not that that will ever stop her from getting where she wants to be. She met her best friend Jenny at Camphill and they are inseparable. Jenny is not only Aggie’s best friend but also her “brace”, you always see the two friends walking hand in hand. They support each other in every sense of the way, not only emotionally but physically, the one’s strengths in body covering for the other’s weaknesses. The two become a whole together, a perfect union of love and friendship, giving the phrase supporting a friend an entire new meaning.
 
Aggie’s leg needed a correcting brace. As beautiful as this union is, she still needs to be independent and walk on her own. Thank you Hannes Steyn Orthopaedics from Malmesbury who custom fitted Aggie’s brace for comfort ensuring she will wear it. The long term benefits are priceless. 

Now Aggie needed good strong shoes, preferably tekkies, which will be supporting and comfortable. We researched all kind of shoes and South African brand, New Balance, came out on top as a great correcting shoe, for many feet challenges.

We made contact with New Balance and told Aggie’s story. They came back and said Aggie can go to the closest outlet and pick out a pair she likes, they would do a proper fitting to ensure size, comfort and of course style. Thank you, Devine from New Balance, you were brilliant in your kind and patient assistance in finding the perfect size and fit. A very happy Aggie left the store with brace, new pair of shoes and the biggest smile. Housemother Locadia struggled to keep up with her!

A huge thank you Hannes Steyn and New Balance you have made a huge difference in a beautiful young woman’s life.
Changing ways
Changing Ways
by Max

If anyone asked me today for a recipe of how to change someone who's displaying challenging behaviour, or has a negative mindset, my answer would be - provide them with support, many chances and opportunities. 

When we do that we definitely increase the chance of transformation taking place. 

Change is one of the tough choices in life. How many times have you attempted and tried to help someone else change their negative ways of living, only to find that they keep moving on in the same direction, with the same behaviours and attitudes? You can present as many rational arguments as you wish. 

I feel that to help a person, they must first want to change. If they do not want to change, it is the same thing as leading a horse to water. You can get the horse there but you cannot force it to drink.

Often the issue isn't that they do not understand the need to change. No! The point is that they do not have the experience and knowledge to change. They do not want to adapt to change because they have always behaved the same and see no benefit in changing from a particular behaviour. So, the challenge is to find a special benefit to them so they decide for themselves that to change brings new opportunities. 

My high five goes to Eckhart for being that change he wanted to see. He has transformed to be a very good gym influencer amongst other gym members. He has brought forth good energy for other gym members and allowed them to believe and trust in themselves. This transformation is very exciting,and has made me believe that it could happen to anybody at any given time. It just takes dedication, motivation, many chances, mistakes, new opportunities, support and love!
Tuck Shop aka The Sweet Spot
Tuck Shop aka The Sweet Spot
by Delmaine Willemse

When the rest of the Camphill day staff gets ready to embrace the weekend on a Friday afternoon, we get ready to open the tuck shop.

As the HR Assistant and Debtors Clerk our job descriptions don’t bring us into contact with the residents, but thanks to the tuck shop we have the pleasure of meeting these colourful humans in person every Friday between 14h30-17h00.

The care houses come to do their weekly shopping between 14h30 and 15h30. Mostly the carers come and do a bulk buy for their houses, but Maureen from Grange House likes to control her own budget and treats by visiting the tuck shop on her own. Derrick from Ferry is an easy customer with his usual R10.00 loose sweets and a 2L Coke. Thuliswa from Grover has grown in her shopping abilities; last year she would just say chocolate, sweets and chips, no brand specification. Now she tells us, “Barone, small coke (don’t you dare bring one with a black lid) and Cheese Twirls with one Lays, Locadia says bring change.” Sandra from Aquarius does not accept “paper money” as change, and when our All Sorts Liquorice and Cheese&Onion chips run dry we get a fair amount of thunder from Barbara and Annie. 

The real challenge begins at 15h30 when individual residents from the various group homes come to do their shopping. We get ready for anything and everything. This slot will start with either a reprimand for being late or a pat on the back for opening early. We are questioned about which retail store we buy our stock from and advised about other outlets that they prefer. Some residents know exactly what they want and new things hardly interest them, then there are those who believe the tuck shop is “empty” when it is only the usual in the shop. 

Trying to please everyone is a never ending job, yet we wouldn’t trade these precious two hours. It is during this time that we get to know the residents individually. We are told about their love lives, their families whom they miss and adore, their dreams and aspirations (this leaves us inspired every time). They share life lessons and even prank us. Between the two of us we have also had quite a few marriage proposals and serenades. 

Tuck Shop is a highlight of many residents’ week, and we are so glad that to contribute to their joy in this manner, because seeing and experiencing them is definitely the highlight of our week.
Land Rejuvenation and planting
Land Rejuvenation and planting
by Viwe Dzebe Dzebe

Land rejuvenation is not just about sustaining the current land resource so that it can continue to be used, but means improving what is there, leaving it better for the next generation. Giving our land a special treatment and a break to breathe allows it to experience a positive land rejuvenation. This improves the well-being of our environment by increasing soil fertility, biodiversity and water retention.

At Camphill Village we take land rejuvenation seriously as it is the land that provides us with nutrition/food for everyone to live a healthy life. We do organic farming and promote biodiversity through crop and rotational grazing, which improves soil activity and fertility which is vital for plant nutrition.

Camphill Village is situated in a winter rainfall area where summers are hot and dry. Most of our crop production such as herbs and vegetables is done under irrigation. During winter when rains start to fall, we also plant grains such oats, barley and rye, which we use as fodder for our dairy herd. We have recently planted about twelve fields with grains, and four of them are under irrigation.
Land rejuvenation
About Flourishing with Purpose
About Flourishing with Purpose
by Nina Oberzaucher

More than ever before, we are being drained of our vital energy in order to just survive from one day to the next. Our work and private lives are filled with worries, frustrations and pressures, and what is happening outside the boundaries of our work and personal lives remains uncertain. So, my question here is  Are you resting? 

By rest, I do not mean sleep alone, though this is an important part. It is those activities that revitalize and energize us to be able to cope and flourish whatever the circumstances. It is to expect superhuman qualities of us all, to think that we can go on working tirelessly, serving with zeal, enthusiasm and patience, without taking the time to refresh and relax. Please take some time to take stock of your own self-care.

Are you doing sufficient activities that make you feel rested, soft, warm, cozy, quiet, pampered, fresh, invigorated, vibrant… including active as well as passive relaxation. By active relaxation, I mean activities that link thinking to relaxation, such as singing, dancing, arts, crafts, various forms of exercise, and actively choosing the people and things that make you laugh and feel good. Active relaxation relaxes one part of the brain while working on the other. If you include active relaxation in your down time, once you are back at work you’ll be sharper and fresher than ever.

Passive relaxation is valuable too, but use caution when it comes to mindless consumption that dulls creativity. Treat your body in the best way you can, whether it be soaking your feet to relax, or getting a massage before you put out your back. Planning is the important thing here. Plan your down time to help you stay energized.

Don’t wait for a crisis to occur in your life to start creating the life you want to live. Plan and stay motivated by goal setting, joyful work and revitalizing play in all areas of your life. The more you do this, the more you take control of your life rather than leaving it to circumstance.

Get rid of the distractions that are unhelpful to your wellbeing. Switch off from media, your phone, people and activities that drain your energy. Don’t sweat the small stuff with your loved ones. Remember to keep on thinking, strategizing, reflecting and be the director in your own life. Don’t be worried about the Joneses – be yourself. Live within your means and feel blessed rather than stressed. Lastly, ask for help. Remember that ‘We are all angels with one wing. We must embrace each other to fly away' (Luciano De Crescenzo).
Thank Yous
by Janine Strumpher

Thank you to all the loyal MySchool/MyVillage swipers who contribute monthly to Camphill as their beneficiary. Please note that Builders Warehouse is now also a partner.

Thank you to Puma Sport for sponsoring Pieter with a pair of running shoes. Pieter, one of our residents, is a seasoned runner - he has run the Comrades Marathon three times, and has now started a running group at Camphill.

A very big thank you to Sister Louise Greyling from Panorama Clinic for sacrificing your Saturday (second time around) to come and train our staff in using supporting devices, hoist and plinth. We appreciate you patiently and meticulously sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.
View our previous newsletters

If you would like to view some of our previous newsletters... CLICK HERE
Sponsor a Resident
by Janine Strumpher

We have embarked on a drive to find a sponsor for each resident who has no family or financial means. Without Camphill Village they would be on the streets where people with special needs are often victims of abuse and manipulation and at risk even within their own families and/or communities.

And without financial assistance we cannot continue providing this place of safety.

Living at Camphill Village West Coast gives people with intellectual disability the chance to live a full, creative and fulfilled life, to develop their abilities and contribute to their community. The life that we take for granted, is for many a gift. However we can only do this when financial support is found for the individuals.

If you can help, or know of Individuals or Companies we can approach please contact Janine Strumpher on 021 571 8600 or e-mail fundraiser@camphill.org.za

Take a break from your busy day and watch this beautiful slideshow about life at Camphill - https://youtu.be/B3BQ8PmMZuY


 
How to Donate
by Janine Strumpher

Our PayPal account is now in operation; there are now three ways to donate cash to Camphill Village West Coast.
 
  1. We now have a Payfast account if you'd like to donate in ZAR - Click Here
  2. And a PayPal account for donations in USD or Euros - Click Here
  3. EFT – Camphill Village Standard Bank Malmesbury Acc: 082 399 204 Branch: 050507 Swift: SBZA ZA JJ
  4. Foreign donations can be made through a NPO in your country and a tax certificate can be issued, please contact Janine to discuss for more info.
NB! Your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE, we would like to thank everybody that supports Camphill, remember without your support we cannot continue the work we do. We provide a safe normal life for people living with intellectual disability.
My School Card
My School Card
 

Support Camphill Village with a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card.
 
Every time you shop at Woolworths, Engen, Flight Centre, Loot, Bidvest Waltons, Alltech Netstar and Power 24 a percentage of the amount goes to your MySchool beneficiaries.

If you don’t already have a card the application form is available on our website here.  http://www.camphill.org.za/my-school-card

If you already have a card, update your profile to include Camphill Village West Coast as one of your beneficiaries. https://www.myschool.co.za/supporter/update/

You can have up to three beneficiaries per card, so can support us at the same time as your school or other favourite charity.

Thank you – every little bit makes a difference!

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Camphill Village West Coast · PO Box 1451 · Dassenberg · Cape Town, WC 7350 · South Africa

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