Welcome to the Orion Organisation - "Where Winners Never Quit!"

Dedicated to caring and providing for the educational, training and therapeutic needs of children, youth and adults with physical, intellectual and/or mental disabilities, Orion proves a model of promise and hope to many. Orion’s ultimate aim is to provide a dynamic, emotionally secure and containing community around children and adults in need of special care. More

Latest News:

	ORION “VANG SOCCER WORLD CUP GEES”!!! Orion joined in to celebrate in style on 11 June. We want to wish every team all the best!!
	THE GERMAN SOCCER TEAM IS ON OUR SIDE Orion demonstrates their gratitude towards Oliver Bierhoff (manager) and the German soccer team for signing a German soccer shirt which can be won by anybody who makes a donation. Visit www.goalsforsouthafrica.com/english or www.torefuersuedafrika.de to join this fantastic fundraising drive!
	WILGE RECEIVES A REBOUNDER Lydia Goldswain did it again for Wilge! She used her friendship circle to sponsor a therapeutic trampoline that can be used to assist the children with developing their body balance and enhancing their gross motor coordination. Thank you, Justine and Keith McFarlane! (www.reboundsa.co.za)
	A NEW BABY FOR THE MAICHEL FAMILY On Wed 2nd June, Karl William Harald Einarsson entered the lives of our German patrons, Dr Gert & Marion Maichel, making them grandparents for the first time. Congratulations to their daughter, Johanna, and son in law, Svante. May little William and his family be blessed with health, joy and happiness!
	MANAGER OF GERMAN SOCCER TEAM TAKES HANDS WITH ORION When Sonya Schinzel read about Orion in Dr Gert & Marion Maichel’s annual newsletter, she put her creative mind to work to find an interesting way to support the organisation. With the soccer world cup fever beginning to pick up speed, she got the bright idea to support both the German soccer team and ORION by asking the German public for a donation for every goal that the German team scores. Oliver Bierhoff, manager of the team, agreed to support this “Goals for South Africa” project personally , and arranged for an original soccer shirt signed by all members of the team. This shirt will now be displayed on the websites: www.goalsforsouthafrica.com and www.torefuersuedafrika.de. Donors who pledge donations to the organisation via this webpage, will go into the lucky draw to win this much sought-after shirt. Sonya visited Orion to show her personal interest and support during May 2010.
	NETHERLANDS VISIT TO ORION Orion was privileged to receive special guests from the Netherlands a few days ago. The patron of the “Liliane Children’s Fund”, Hans Schiffers, and his friend, Rob, visited Orion on the 4th of May. Hans is a “DJ” at Radio 2 in Holland and represented the Liliane Fund during this visit. Orion’s Wilge Special Day Care Centre for children with disabilities receive funding from this trust fund to supply specialised therapeutic equipment to five children in its care. Staff and parents receive training to utilise the equipment in such a way that the child will be enabled to develop their physical mobility and in almost all cases, to eventually walk on their own. This is a pilot project in South Africa, and we hope that it will be such a success, that the Liliane Fund will continue to sponsor more children in the future!
	FAREWELL TO GERMAN VOLUNTEERS We are very fortunate to have volunteers and students from Germany on a regular basis to come and assist our care workers with their enormous tasks. Jennifer-Sue Engel joined us 6 months ago, and Melanie Von Dewitz arrived 2 months ago. They shared their experience working with our disabled people without expecting any remuneration in return. We spent some fun time with them making our own home-made pasta before they left end February. Thank you, Jenni and Mel, we are missing you already!
	SWIMMING LESSONS Lydia Goldswain, a phenomenal lady, offered her voluntary services to give weekly swimming lessons to our children, adults and staff members. Lydia is a spastic diaplegic, with an incredible story of her struggle to overcome her physical challenge. She is the only disabled person who ever made an attempt to swim the English Channel, and plans to do it for the 4th time next year. Lydia’s determination is an encouragement to us all.
	TIMOTHY MAURICE WEBSTER VISITS ORION International motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur and Corporate Branding Expert, Timothy Maurice Webster, visited Orion recently. He was bowled over by the love and affection of the children, as well as the beautiful art works done at the Activity Centre. The courage and determination of our disabled workforce to master difficult types of contract work, inspired him to get more involved in the future. “Orion is surely the highlight of my year so far and the children add a glow go me”, said Timothy after his visit.
	GOODBYE TO LLANA We have an expression at Orion, “there is a season for everything”. Our HR officer, Llana Valentine, found an incredible offer irresistible to join a big corporate company, only 2 years after joining Orion. She will be moving on to Pioneer Foods, where she will have the opportunity to further her HR studies, and we want to wish her well and all the success with her career path.
	WELCOME, RENE! Rene Homann was appointed to follow in Llana’s footsteps. Not only will she take care of our Human Capital Development, but will she also assist the Social Worker with Orion’s Community Development Programmes. Rene graduated from UNISA 2 years ago, and gained experience working in the Atlantis community as a Community Developer. Welcome on board, Rene, we look forward to you joining us on 1 April.
	RED CROSS HOSPITAL DOCTORS VISIT WILGE Doctors from Red Cross Hospital visit our Wilge Special Day Care Centre twice per annum to execute important medical check-ups on our children. During these visits, thorough discussions are held with the parents concerned to inform them of their children’s physical and mental progress. Panel discussions with Wilge staff and therapists are very useful in terms of planning of individual therapeutic programmes for each child. Sadly, Orion cannot financially afford the services of therapists on an ongoing, daily basis, and is forced to make do with weekly / monthly visits only. The organisation desperately needs donor funds to continue the much-needed services of the speech- and physio therapists.
NEWSFLASH! NEWSFLASH! NEWSFLASH! The date for this year’s fundraising gala event is SATURDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2010. Watch this space for more information…