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CONSTRUCTION of a new facility for the Bizweni Centre for Disabled Children in Somerset West is coming along nicely, and thanks to an R80 000 donation made during December, the roof will soon be completed. The project is being coordinated by the Helderberg Rotary Club. The club committed themselves in 2005 to assist the centre in acquiring a suitable facility to accommodate 40 children in a clean and healthy environment and to provide training to teachers and nursing staff.

The Bizweni Centre is presently accommodated in a building of 70 m² on ground leased from the Bizweni Community Church in Somerset West.

It comprises an open plan room which is utilised as a class/play/therapy room, a small washroom with two toilets and one washbasin and a small kitchen/office.

Currently, the centre accommodates 22 children - most of them severely disabled - who are looked after by eight staff members.

The new facility - a building of about 378 m² situated on the Bizweni grounds - will comprise two classrooms and a therapeutic room of 57 m² each with "time-out" rooms; an ablution block with sufficient washing, bathing, showering and laundry facilities; separate washing/toilet facilities for the staff; and a small office, kitchen and store room.

According to Helderberg Rotarian Hannes van Tonder, the original quote for the facility dated August 2006, amounted to R932 600 plus inflation. "To date we have collected R522 387,20... and still have a long way to go," he says.

Funds were accumulated slowly. Phase two, the building construction of the facility, was completed up to roof height during September 2007. At that stage the available funds were not sufficient for phase three - adding the roof to the building.

"Early December last year, PSG Konsult gave the Building Fund the good news that The 476 Charitable Trust, a previous donor of R75 000, was considering a further donation of R80 000 to the building fund so as to enable the building committee to complete the roof," says Hannes.

"On December 24 the amount of R80 000 was deposited into the Bizweni Building Fund - what a beautiful Christmas Present! Our sincere thanks to The 476 Charitable Trust , PSG Konsult and the Awards committee."

Unfortunately they had to wait until after the festive season to set the ball rolling for quotes, but during mid March the builders arrived on site and midst great excitement the roof began to take shape.

In the meantime, smaller donations were received from various businesses and international Rotary Clubs. These, together with a substantial donation from the project organiser, the Helderberg Rotary Club, have ensured that phase 4, the fitting of doors, window frames and the glazing thereof, will also be completed. "We have now reached stage 5 where we can make use of donations in kind to assist in the completion of this project, says Hannes. "We need more cement, indoor and outdoor paint, sanitary ware such as toilets, wash basins and taps floor and wall tiles and ceiling fans. Any donation will gladly be accepted and acknowledged."

Should you wish to donate anything, contact one of the following people for more information on the specifics that they require: Hannes van Tonder (084 625 5463), Adriaan van Sprang (083 772 3623) or Adriaan Pretorius (083 254 4122).

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