Staff members of the Thembalami Care Centre, already proficient in a number of languages, are now learning sign language too.
The Rand Aid Association-owed care centre will accommodate residents from the Colonel Rowland Home for the Deaf and Deaf-blind within the next year.
This follows the merger between the Bedfordview-based Max Ordman Deaf Association and Rand Aid.
Both welfare organisations have a long history of serving the community, with the Max Ordman association being 90 years old and Rand Aid being over 110 years old.
The former was facing a long-term funding crisis, as is the case with many welfare organisations in South Africa. After talks, it was decided that Rand Aid will now manage the Colonel Rowland Home on its present premises, while renovations to Thembalami are undertaken, to comfortably accommodate the new residents.
Meanwhile, Thembalami’s staff members are attending night classes to learn how to effectively communicate with their new changes.
Thembalami offers frail care to physically and financially vulnerable residents.
For more information, phone 011 882-4434.
