Tongaat poultry farmers Helen and Calvin Potgieter are creating a self-sustaining nest egg for their autistic son, Torin.
The duo have a menagerie of birds on their ‘Torin’s Haven’ smallholding in Greylands, including ducks, quails and chickens.
It has been a project years in the making, with Helen originally renting the land for her and Torin (15) and expanding the operations since she married Calvin earlier this year.
Torin is her son from a previous marriage and has been non-verbal since the age of two.
“It has been a long and often difficult process because Torin does not respond well to formal environments,” said Helen.
“He went to school for about three years but showed no progress. He ended up developing a fear of school and refused to leave the bus, later biting a guard who tried to get him off.”
A lover of animals, the farm proved to be a perfect respite for Torin, but it has left him occasionally isolated.
“This might sounds ridiculous to most parents, but all I want is for Torin to have a friend who he can kick a ball with,” she said.
Covid-19 proved particularly difficult, because Torin would refuse to wear a mask and did not leave the house aside from visiting his dad, Glen.
The farm has been a huge help in keeping him occupied and the Potgieters hope it will grow to become a sustainable operation to look after him when they are gone.
If the community response to their first posting for 100 broiler chickens is anything to go by, Torin’s Haven is onto something good.
“We had tried advertising for around two weeks and had little response. We decided to have a go on the I Love Ballito Facebook page and it instantly went viral,” said Calvin.
“The stock was sold out in hours and we now have a waiting list for the next batch! We are so grateful for the response.”
After starting the farm with rabbits and goats, its now all systems go for poultry, which has proven easier to manage and more in demand.
The birds are vaccine, hormone and antibiotic free and are processed at an accredited abattoir just 200 metres from their farm.
Plans are underway to expand further, but for now it is still small-scale.
The next batch of chickens is expected in January with ducks and quails ready later in 2024. Be sure to keep a close eye on the Torin’s Haven Facebook page to ensure you do not miss out.
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