Creating a home for the marginalised community

THE Horizon Farm Trust continues to make a home for intellectually impaired adults. The home is situated in Shongweni, housing around 35 adults who live with different types of disabilities.

Speaking to the Highway Mail, the general manager of the organisation said they provide residential care for intellectually impaired adults. “Parents and families are given the opportunity to leave their loved ones here in this 24-hour care facility. We are our own community that is designed to cater for the needs of the residents.

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This is a brainchild of parents who were concerned about the well-being of intellectually impaired individuals who are over 18 years.
“The parents invited other parents to form a trust fund; they then bought this piece of land. In January 2004, Horizon Farm Trust took possession of a 30-acre farm in Shongweni. The property had been unoccupied for some ten years, and the land was completely overgrown, and since then, we have grown the infrastructure to accommodate up to 40 residents,” he said.

Mark said the home houses people from the age of 18 to any age. “We have residents who are up to 50 years old, with some being siblings. We have come to understand that mentally handicapped clients are likely to fall into one of two categories: Those requiring assisted living in the form of residential care, and those who are able to live relatively independently but who require daily structure and supervision. We usually encourage families to bring their loved ones as soon as they turn 18. This is to familiarise them with our routine and the people that will be family with them as they reside here.”

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Mark said they also do activities that are aimed to keep their residents occupied. “The activities are also aimed to keep residents learning and their minds stimulated. They are all different, and therefore they respond to the activities differently. It is also important to note that their condition is incurable, but these activities are important for their development.

He said they are grateful to their sponsors who are actively contributing to the organisation to ensure their smooth running and for them to keep their residents happy.