The Reea Foundation financially survives in a book shop to make ends meet
CRAIGHALL PARK – If it was not for the Reea Epilepsy Care Centre, the 39 patients would have had to see themselves through and the Reea Foundation Centre prioritises their needs from the little money they receive from small businesses renting in the centre and donors.
Behind vegetable and fruit gardens, children’s nurseries and art studios at the Reea Foundation, there is a Reea Epilepsy Care Centre that needs more donors for sustainability.
A volunteer at the centre, Judy Harding, said keeping the home afloat tends to be financially strenuous and they are doing everything in their power to make sure that 39 patients have a roof over their head and food to ensure that they never starve.
“Some of our patients don’t have anyone to lean on and as they’re on their own, and we’ve become their family,” said Harding. “We have donated books and we sell them to the community, and the money goes to the home.”
Centre manager, Alex Sheffield said all they need to prevent it from collapsing is more contributions from the public, which sometimes have nothing to do with money. “Financial funding is not the only way to help us. Even three boxes of milk, books or paints can make a difference.”
The centre costs about R5 million a year to be maintained and Sheffield said this large amount of money is nowhere near the cash they generate throughout the year, considering that professional nurses are hired and medication for the patients is costly.
“We’ve had a few break-ins and we’ve had to spend money on improving our security facilities because we have a few companies renting in the centre and the money we get, has to be contributed to helping the people at the home,” continued Sheffield.
The patients’ home is situated one street away from the centre and like anyone else, the patients have chores to keep them busy. Some assist with the cleaning, while some help with laundry and cooking.
Sinikiwe Sibanda, a nurse at the home who knows her patients like the back of her hand, said the patients’ space is fully equipped with furniture and their private rooms are set according to their preferences and personalities.
“We make sure that they have a normal life. Some of them are married to each other and love each other. We’ve had to prepare weddings because for some of them, their families want nothing to do with them,” explained Sibanda.
Speaking to one of the patients, Noel Barham who was previously a sales consultant before his admission to the home, attested to the good treatment he receives from the care centre. “It’s great being here, we get good meals three times a day, nursing care and transport to go anywhere I want.”
The hospital is occupied with patients mostly suffering from autism, epilepsy and other mental disorder like Down’s syndrome and bipolar.
The centre created a lot of employment and has small and different business entities scattered around the large yard.
Details: Reea Epilepsy Care Centre 011 788 4745.
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