GALLERY: Queen Butterfly spreads her wings
KLOOFENDAL – Palesa Mofokeng is realising her dream of running her own centre for children with special needs.
“It has all happened so fast”, exclaims Palesa Mofokeng, founder of ‘Queen Butterfly’ as she sits in the classroom earmarked for her use on the premises of NG Kerk Kloofendaal. The room has a distinct smell of disinfectant, and cleaning products cover a child-sized table. The former Pathways Roodepoort employee has always wanted to open her own centre for disabled children which she has done with Queen Butterfly.
Her 10-year tenure with Pathways has stood her in good stead and she has the blessing of Pathways founder, Julie Botha, to duplicate the school model. She is joined by another former Pathways employee, Elaine Thompson, who has been a driving force in reaching out to the community. Thomspon explains, “I’ve been using a lot of social media as well as calling anyone and everyone I can think of to try find a venue. Dominee Fanie Le Roux was so kind and agreed to see us almost immediately.”
That meeting took place on 16 July. They now have room for the five children who will start in August and Le Roux has already earmarked a larger room they can use when the school starts to gain momentum. Mofokeng explains, “We hope to alleviate some of that pressure and give these children a chance to attend school. It’s not a competition, we would love to work in partnership with some of the bigger schools.”
The use of the church has the added bonus of having a kitchen available for storing the children’s lunches as well as a nappy changing area for paraplegic children. But they do still have a wish list. Mofokeng explains, “Once we’re able to hold sessions in the bigger classroom we will need a ramp put in for better access for the children in wheelchairs.”
The first intake of children will be at the beginning of August but Mofokeng and Thompson will hold a community meeting on 25 July for any parents or volunteers who may be interested in getting involved. Mofokeng adds, “We would love volunteers as well as extra help from physiotherapists and speech therapists and anyone else who would like to get involved.”
Details: Palesa Mofokeng palesa.queenbutterfly@gmail.com or 072 871 2559; Elaine Thompson Elaine.queenbutterfly@gmail.com or 084 710 6230.
Related article:
Centre aims to help children with disabilities
