The Avalon Association for Disabled People situated in Dewetshof is the legacy of Murrogh De B Nesbitt, who lost both his legs at the age of 11 in a railway accident.
He spent his life fighting his handicap and made it his lifelong mission to bring hope and inspiration to disabled people. The home strives to restore dignity and usefulness, and it is where dependency and despair are replaced with purpose and vision.This is done through interaction with social workers and part-time occupational therapists.
The home has been providing a safe haven for the physically disabled for over 60 years. However, it is facing difficult times, as it has not been doing well financially for the past few years. “The home is in need of financial assistance. We have been fundraising and depending on donations to stay afloat,” explained Avalon’s manager Nhlanhla Jordan.
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In order to save the home, a special fundraising committee has been established. “When I discovered that the home could be closed down because of funds, I knew that I needed to do something. Fifty residents will be left with no place to live and we cannot allow that to happen,” said occupational therapist Anna Othonos.
The committee has started an organic vegetable garden with the help of Sonia Ruegg who has a farm and grows organic vegetables.
Othonos added, “We decided on a vegetable garden because we had space on our premises and we also saw it as a saving opportunity as the kitchen can take from the garden rather than buy, and we also plan to sell to the community.” She said they also looked at the worldwide trend towards eco-friendly farming and saw it as an opportunity to be more cost-effective.
Ruegg explained, “An organic garden has health benefits because no chemicals have been used on the veggies and it also costs nothing to start and maintain because you use rubbish from your kitchen as compost.” Othonos said the garden is still in the early stages but is growing and producing beautiful vegetables. She thanked the team which has been supportive of the garden and who help her maintain it.
“With the help of Abel Dube, our head gardener Israel Zwane has been dedicated to nurturing the garden, making sure it receives all the nutrients it needs to grow,” said Othonos. She said the garden is the start of many more things to come.
Read: Avalon in desperate need of help
She is calling on the community to support them. It is a non-profit organisation and funding comes from social grants from the Department of Social Development, fees paid by the residents, collections at shopping malls by residents and donations from companies, individuals, churches and schools.
Anyone who would like to assist can drop off their donations at Avalon, which is situated on the corner of 11th Avenue and 10th Street in Dewetshof, or call the home.
Details: Avalon Home for the Disabled 011 616-3203.
