“It is not enough to be compassionate – you must act.” – The Dalai Lama.
On Friday morning, 1 November, Val de Vie Estate residents had the privilege of going on the Val de Vie Foundation guided community tour, where three of the Val de Vie Foundation’s primary beneficiaries were visited: Monte Christo Miqlat (MCM), Rusthof Old Age Home and DAPD’s Milani Daycare Centre for Children with Disabilities. Joined by Nation Builder, Val de Vie Foundation’s implementation partner, the day was filled with inspirational and heartwarming interactions.
The three remarkable organisations visited have a significant positive impact on the lives of their beneficiaries. Based at the Tiffany’s Centre, MCM played a critical role in ending the youth gangs that plagued the community. MCM is a Christian-based organisation with a deeply rooted commitment to community transformation. With three focus areas – education, nutrition, and skills development – MCM ensures that children in their early childhood development programme receive nutritious meals and mental stimulation.
Rusthof Old Age Home holds a special place in our hearts. It provides care for 104 elderly residents, many of whom are referred due to neglect or abuse. Under the management of qualified nurse Alvira Kleynhans, residents are placed in different sections based on their mobility and are monitored by carers and nurses employed by Rusthof. Some significant challenges that Rusthof faces include their dire need for adult diapers, as they only receive partial assistance from the government that does not cover such items.
The last stop of the day was the Milani Daycare for Children with Disabilities. An extension of the Drakenstein Association for People with Disabilities, the Milani Daycare Centre cares for 40 children with disabilities between 2 and 18 years old. Due to many cultural barriers and a lack of knowledge, these children are often neglected at home by parents or guardians who do not know how to care for them properly. Milani ensures that their clients are cared for in a safe environment, where they receive two meals daily, transport to Wellington, Franschhoek and Paarl as well as their daily therapy.
The Val de Vie Foundation believes in impact beyond funding. It’s about being part of the journey towards sustainable social transformation in vulnerable communities. In the spirit of the Dalai Lama’s call to act on compassion, Lorraine Hadfield, Advisor to the Val de Vie Foundation, echoed this sentiment by saying, “You can either cry about it, or you can decide to do something about it.” The Val de Vie Foundation has reached nearly 50,000 beneficiaries since its establishment in 2015, highlighting its constant dedication to driving social transformation.
Wearing their hearts on their sleeves, residents were immediately filled with compassion and a desire to assist where needed. As the tour concluded, it was clear that this experience profoundly impacted all who joined. We encourage more Val de Vie Estate residents to join us on future community tours to witness firsthand the transformative work in our surrounding communities.
