Campaign Story

The Sunshine Association is a dynamic, progressive and innovative NGO in the field of intellectual disability, offering diverse services at many levels. All developments and services offered by the organisation are a direct response to the needs identified in the communities. The Sunshine Centre Association is committed to the development and inclusion of children with disabilities and delays – intellectual, developmental, and physical – in partnership with families and communities. It was formed in 1976 by a group of concerned mothers, led by Sylvia Langenhoven, with the aim of providing the children with early intervention and stimulation, and to support the parents.

The Sunshine Association provides Early Intervention Projects and Therapeutic Services to parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and delays. The projects cater for children aged 18 months to 7 years with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities and delays. At two of the projects they also cater for able-bodied preschool children as part of the Inclusion Programme. The sizes of the classes are kept down to a minimum, with an average of 10 children per class to ensure individual attention. The children are supplied with two nutritious meals daily.

Special Therapeutic assessments and regular input into the child’s daily programme is provided by a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist and Social Worker. Therapeutic seating and positioning aids maximize the impact of the programmes. Adapted equipment aids the development of independence in each child and is an integral part of the programme.