Students create sea themed room for Settler’s kids
Natal Settlers Home's Children's Wing received a newly renovated Beach stimulation room this month.
THE Children's Wing of Natal Settler's Home, Hepburn House had one of its dreams come true thanks to a generous donation from Mangosuthu University of Technology students.
Second year Public Management students Zama Jila, Nondumiso Nxumalo and Mfana Majola identified the Home as a beneficiary for a new Seaside/Beach stimulation room for the children.
Zama Jila said their Siyanakekela Project was part of their assessment. “Our theme for this year was vulnerable children and on the basis of the task and theme we researched and decided Natal Settlers Children's Wing would be perfect because they needed a stimulation room for the children with limited access to stimulation. Our communication, time management, negotiation and organisational skills were put to the test in the three months to the handover phase,” she said.
According to Riona Balgobind, a social worker and ambassador for Hepburn House, the Home started a stimulation programme called Twinkle Toes in their day room last year with a vision in the future to have more themed stimulation rooms including an Animal Farm, Nature and Beach room.
Belinda Naidoo, general manager of Natal Settlers thanked the students for their efforts and hoped to partner with them in the future, “This was one of our goals to create a stimulating environment for our children with disabilities. The fact that the students came on board and their vision matched ours is amazing. This environment really stimulates the children and we are looking at adding onto what the students have done by getting complementary music with waves crashing and seagulls.”
In creating the Beach room the students have brought the beach to the young kids, complete with a beach themed painted mural with sun, sea, seagulls, a boat, beach balls and other toys with real sea sand.
The theme rooms allows many bedridden children to get away from being “stuck in bed” for visual, mental and physical stimulation.
Anyone wishing to help can contact Riona on 076 766 6474 or Sandra on 083 487 8513 to assist.
