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Naturally healthy
by James Sleigh
Most of us buy milk in the shops without giving much consideration to what goes into a cow to produce this commercial product. As we become more aware of commercial farming practices, we discover that this product that we consume daily, could become increasingly toxic, when dairy farmers use more and more processed fodder, antibiotics and hormones to artificially increase milk production from their cows.
The healthy organic process of making milk is a slow process – the cows require a peaceful and natural environment and grazing is a vital component of this process. With access to good grazing, peace and unhurried time, cows produce good, nutritious milk naturally just as they are designed by nature to do.
As ruminants, cows differ from other mammals in that their stomach has four separate compartments, each with a separate function. (Most mammals only have one). This enables the cow to digest the grazing without completely chewing it first. They can partially chew the vegetation, and graze as much as possible while they are out in the fields.
While chewing, saliva is mixed with the plant matter which aids in breaking down fats and starches. When the cow swallows, this mix flows down into the rumen (the first section of the stomach). The oesophagus allows the food to move in both directions (from mouth to stomach, and from stomach to mouth)- so when resting the cow will chew the cud. This further breaks down the plant material, and extracts more nutrients, vitamins and proteins from the fodder, which thereby enrich the milk. Microorganisms in the rumen part of the stomach break down the remainder.
At Camphill, we still farm in the old ethical way, giving the cows access to good grazing, peace and all the time they need, and in this way, the natural and nutritional benefits of the milk are maintained.
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Camphill Dairy Renewed – Part 1
by Janine Strumpher
Built in 1988, our anthroposophically-designed dairy building remains an icon in Camphill Village, having served our Village for more than 30 years. We pride ourselves on our ethically farmed, grass fed milk and dairy products, and, as the saying goes, ‘Happy cows, Happy consumers’. As beautiful as she (our dairy) is, she needed a serious revamp and upgrade. As well as the building needing urgent TLC, the cooling facilities, the equipment and the milking system needed updating.
We have been very fortunate to have Kris & Katrin from Rays of Hope, together with the Schmitz Foundation, from Germany on board to assist with this metamorphosis. The process needed to be well planned, as it is such a specialised field. Procuring the correct equipment for a dairy of our small scale was a challenge as most machines are designed for dairies of a thousand plus cows. But through many hours of research, determination and a great team, it all materialised.
International company GEA came on board and assisted us in custom-designing a state of the art in-line milking system, designed to streamline the process (no more carrying of buckets of milk…phew), and keeping the cold chain perfectly hygienic. It is a non-stress system for our cows, using superb technology and monitoring information. Milk is now transferred from the cow into an overhanging in-line system, with automated washing in place, and flows directly into the cooling tanks in the raw milk room.
Next month I will take you through the inside of the dairy, from receiving the just milked milk in the cooling tanks in the raw milk room, to the new dispatch room, and finally into the cool truck to send off to you as the consumer.
This is all super exiting for all of us, especially for dairy manager Danie and his team.
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My 23 year old baby - Sour dough
by Max
It's so clear that organic things survive in a good environment. During the December holiday season I had to leave our 23 year old Camphill sourdough culture (Mona Lisa) with no one to take care of her. But on my return when I opened the bucket, she was still so happy, bubbling, charming and excited as always. Maybe it’s because she's a big girl now, 23 years old and mature, that she can be left alone for periods of time. And, I wonder, is she the secret behind the products or is it the environment?. Maybe one day we have to explain the chemistry between Camphill and slow fermentation.
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COMPETITION TIME!
Best picture using Camphill Cheese
on Instagram
by Lise Muller
To celebrate the New Year, Camphill is giving away a Camphill gift pack worth R250! This competition has been posted on Instagram earlier this month and the last day to enter is 30th January so this is the last call for entries!
All you have to do to win is:
- Follow us on Instagram @camphillwestcoast
- Like the competition post
- Take a photograph of what you love to make with one of the Camphill cheeses, post it on Instagram and tag us.
It could be a delicious recipe that you love to make, pizzas or even a cheese platter, so get creative!
We will choose the winner based on the best and most creative picture.
Note: Any Camphill cheese can be used in the photograph (Gouda, Cheddar, Labeneh, Quark, Feta or Creme fraiche). Our artisan cheese is made using milk from our grass-fed, antibiotic-free; Jersey cows and contains no preservatives. We only add salt and plant-based, kosher culture.
Competition closes the 30th of January at 18:00 and the winner will be announced on the 31st of January.
You can find a list of our suppliers by following this link https://www.camphill.org.za/products-overview
PS: Next month, we will run a competition for Valentine's Day - where you can post your favourite poem and stand a chance to win - keep an eye out on social media for the competition.
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Camphill Jojoba oil
by Delmein Willemse
Since my last article, people have forwarded me more beautiful stories about their experiences with our jojoba oil. Read some of the quotes that I have received below, with regards to how jojoba oil has helped them with their beauty regime:
"It is a game changer!"
"Jojoba has become an essential part of my healthy beauty life."
"It has become my remedy to smooth the skin or hair".
"I am unapologetically me and I love myself flaws and all, As a matter of fact, I feel most beautiful when I’m wearing jojoba oil. I prefer natural healthy, glowing skin from the inside out. Maybe because jojoba is natural it's like drinking water, simple like that. This is a reminder that as long as it's organic is good for you and your skin."
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Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds – Camphill’s new Gym
by Janine Strumpher
After months of discussing our new gym, we have all happily agreed on the space where our new gym will be, the colour scheme and the layout. And the outcome is superb. The new gym is at the back of the community centre, a huge space with wooden flooring and lots of windows, light and fresh air. Breathing life into this area, we have lots more plans up our sleeve to convert the entire community centre into a village hub, for exercising, socialising, movies, events and getting that well deserved snack or pressie at our suitably named “Sweet Spot” shop.
The charity shop has been moved to the foyer, making it much more visible for market visitors with the ladies and gents bathroom on each side, so new gems can be tried on and admired in the mirrors already there, making it a win win.
One side of the spacious new gym’s floor is laid out with 30 square meters of thick interlocking mats, making group classes for yoga, zumba, pilates and all kinds of floor and up training possible. The other side has a complete circuit training section plus another section for weight training. All in line with our vision of good nutrition, well maintained, exercised bodies, stimulated minds, and time for just taking a break.
We cannot wait to put all of these into daily practice.
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Maintaining safety and good mental health for 2021
by Nina Oberzaucher
None of us could have imagined what post-December 2019 would be like and the challenges it would bring. More so, the challenges loved ones and service users living with intellectual disabilities would have to learn to manage, with the guidance and support of their families and service providers. Terms, concepts and behaviours such as ‘masks on’ , ‘social distancing’, ‘cough and sneeze etiquette’, ‘washing hands’ , ‘isolation’ , let alone explaining how virus transmission occurs and more have become daily topics of conversation with this vulnerable population, yet the struggle persists to keep safe and maintain good mental health.
Our first port of call is to give persons with intellectual disabilities (PWID) information. Take the time to explain how we keep safe from Covid-19 infection, in short, one-fact-at –a-time, sentences. Answer all the questions and explain why, since we all best learn information when we understand its relevance. Be honest. Talk about the uncomfortable topics with consideration of PWID fears, and provide reassurance. Give time for them to respond, ask questions and allow them to express how they are feeling. Lead by example and wear your mask when appropriate, model hand washing behaviour, cough and sneeze etiquette, social distancing and elbow greetings.
Get your loved one or service user actively involved in learning all these skills by frequently repeating information, breaking these skills into steps. Use your hands over theirs to teach proper hand washing and demonstrate, step-by-step how to put on a mask and make sure it fits and is comfortable. Your family member or service user will be resistant to wearing a mask if it causes discomfort, so find the appropriate design for them. Give specific praise when they are mastering these skills, but allow for trying out and mistakes. This is how everyone learns. Be consistent in your teaching and role modelling. Not following through with what you need your family member or service user to do to keep safe will communicate to them that it is acceptable to not engage in behaviours that aim to keep them safe.
In addition to keeping PWID safe is the challenge personal protective equipment (PPE) brings when it comes to communication. PPE muffles your voice and makes you hard to recognize. When communicating with persons living with ID, ensure that they know who you are and introduce yourself. Some service providers use a small photograph of themselves pinned to their uniform to help with recognition. Keep a positive tone of voice, speak slower and a little louder if needed and use gestures and body language to make up for the lack of facial clues that masks and visors obscure. Always check if your family member or service user has understood you. By no means are the above suggestions suitable for all, so it remains up to family and service providers to choose what is appropriate for the individual living with ID in order to keep them safe.
Maintaining good mental health during these times is an additional challenge, especially for those who are looking after or providing a service to service users with ID. Looking after our own mental health is essential so that we can ensure that our family members and service users are looked after and safe. Without this, we are of no service to them. Know your tolerance level. If you can feel that you are losing patience, remove yourself and ask someone to step in to have a quiet break. Ask for help, whether it is another family member, trusted neighbour or colleague at work to step in – these are trying times. Chat to a friend or debrief with a colleague at work when it is difficult dealing with a behaviour in your family member or service user that challenges your ability to cope - you will feel better after sharing in a non-judgemental and accepted environment. Above all, eat for health, drink enough water, get enough sleep, move and stretch, relax and breathe deeply. It is hard during these times to focus on the positives and our priorities, but they are there. Have a sense of humour, take charge of your life and believe that you can face your challenges. Set boundaries in place and kindly state your needs and wants to friends, family and colleagues. Only then will they be able to respond to you respecting what helps keep you mentally healthy and happy.
It is essential that we, family members and service providers of persons with intellectual disabilities, provide information and skills to ensure their safety to the best of our ability, as their mental and physical health is often more vulnerable. It requires that we adapt and that we provide input that is appropriate for each individual. In the process, we should not forget ourselves but nourish ourselves so that we can continue caring. More than ever, we need to focus on what is important: Our health and well-being, to carry us through to a time that promises more certainty and safety.
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 Hanna Uberuck
by James Sleigh
Hanna, our oldest resident, who turned 90 in May last year, died on the 2nd of January. She was one of the first residents at Camphill Village, and has seen the whole development of Camphill over the last 56 years. She had become frail, but was still always feisty and fun, right until the end. She will be missed and remembered by all at Camphill. We had hoped to have a big 90th party for her, but as her birthday was in the middle of May, we were not able to do this.
This write up about Hanna, was written by Renate, before she died.
Hanna was born in Swakopmund as the third child; she has an older brother and sister who did well at school. Hanna struggled, having to repeat several of her years, and did not get beyond standard four. This made her feel very insecure, she felt looked down upon by her family, and not really part of it.
She was a hard worker in the garden and in the house, and was called out to do child minding in various families. There she met and sometimes looked after Wilfred Stitch. Many of these tasks were difficult and further challenged her confidence. When her mother was ill and died Hanna was there to look after her. She then took up work in the Swakopmund Hospital with caring and cleaning. At the age of 35, she stood at a threshhold what now? Camphill Village had just started and offered her a space.
She came and for the first two days would not unpack her things, but then very quickly she found friends and people that believed in her. Her insecurity diminished and joy gradually returned, so that she could embrace all the activities that were developing, whether they were in the garden, house, or crafts. Folk dancing, evening talks, festival or church. She was an active steady member in all these fields. Hanna was one of the most capable residents the Village has had; she can set up new warps on the big looms that we had, weave beautifully and spin. She can do it all, but she lacks confidence and if left in charge the old fear of not being good enough comes back. This can be a great lesson for us all, we all need each other, learn to understand, stand under and support.
That is why Hanna always called her house leader Mutty. Deep, deep down we all need a mother who believes in us. Camphill became this for Hanna, Camphill is her home. And she says it with clarity, ”Camphill is my home. It builds me up to be a free human being.”
Renate Sleigh
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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.
New Media & Sonet Crous – Office Furniture
A huge thank you for all the support, support financially, in kind and emotionally.
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View our previous newsletters
If you would like to view some of our previous newsletters... CLICK HERE
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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
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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.
- We now have a Payfast account if you'd like to donate in ZAR - Click Here
- And a PayPal account for donations in USD or Euros - Click Here
- EFT – Camphill Village Standard Bank Malmesbury Acc: 082 399 204 Branch: 050507 Swift: SBZA ZA JJ
- 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.
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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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Please click the Facebook link below to hear about weekly updates happening at the Village and you can also follow us on Twitter
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