The Wilge Special Care has space to accommodate 60 children with disabilities, from as young as 12 months of age. 3 classrooms are in full operation accommodating 36 children with various disabilities. Currently Department of Health provides subsidies for only 30 children. Children are cared for on a daily basis, from 08h00 to 15h30, receiving breakfast and lunch as well as an afternoon snack before being taken back home by special transport arranged by the organisation. Therapy: Various aspects of assessment and therapeutic care are available to the children including occupational, speech, music and art therapy, physiotherapy, cognitive development and body massage. In addition to stimulating the mental and physical development and hand/eye coordination of the children, instruction in self-feeding, toilet training, dress skills and reading and writing, form an important part of the therapeutic care programme. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the learning process and are taught how to care for and stimulate their children.

Occupational, physical and speech therapy are essential parts of the rehabilitation process in any home for the disabled and an urgent requirement for Wilge is the continued services of such therapists. These children also need someone with whom they can build trust and rapport, and who can provide them with intensive and consistent stimulation in the longer term, teaching essential life skills and developing a “sense of self” by using various participatory activities and creative play.

Human Capital Development: Regular visits are paid by therapists and medical staff, locally and abroad, to share their knowledge and expertise with Wilge staff and parents, including excellent training on various techniques that can be used to enhance a child’s therapy experience. Staff members attend training courses held by the Western Cape Mental Health Forum on a regular basis in order to keep them up to date with development in the education and therapy field.