Disability centre in Toekies upgraded
‘It’s like 20 years of suffering was made better by one week of labour.’
Officers and parolees from the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre spent the week of 18 to 22 July upgrading the facilities at the Toekomsrus Workshop for the Disabled.
The maintenance manager, Frikkie Jansen van Vuuren, started the project on the Monday by delegating the task of repairing the plumbing in the workshop to his team of qualified artisans. New showerheads were installed, broken toilets were repaired and the shower wall was tiled to keep moisture from penetrating the walls.
Other artisans and officers painted the interior walls of the centre white, in an effort to make the rooms more livable. The exterior walls were also painted to make the centre more welcoming.
A meaningful painting featuring two hands and a candle was painted on the stairwell wall. The slogan on the painting reads: ‘Lend a hand to the less privileged, so they can help themselves and eventually help others.’ The fireman and parolee who painted the mural agreed that the painting symbolises what they did for the workshop. “By lending our hands and services throughout this week, we were able to help others in need,” said fireman Eddy Rapudi. “And by helping those who needed us, we made it possible for them to someday be able to help others.”
Meanwhile, the grass outside the centre was cut, the garden was cleaned up and watered and the fence was given a fresh coat of paint. Workshop members enjoyed the company of kind correctional officers while sitting in the sun enjoying the pleasant warm day.
The centre received 15 desks and 25 chairs on the last day of the project. The godsend gift was received by Anto Harvey, centre manager. “I don’t have words to describe the gratitude in my heart. I’ve waited 20 years for this miracle, and the wait, prayers and tears finally paid off,” Anto said. “It’s like 20 years of suffering was made better by one week of labour.”
Two years ago, Anto sent a letter to the correctional centre asking them for help. Since receiving the letter, the correctional centre has recruited helpers, and collected sponsored materials and donations in preparation for this early Christmas present for the disabled. At first they faced the challenge of not having the human resources to make the project happen, but with the help of the parolees and the fire department, enough manpower was recruited.
To make the event even more cheerful, a number of musically talented parolees played xylophone while the finishing touches were added. The final opening of the new and improved centre witnessed the tears and laughter of both officers and workshop employees.
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