On 25 March of this year, a team from XtraSpace visited the Cheré Botha School in Bellville. This extraordinary school provides educational care and support for young children who have special needs, for example, due to autism or Down’s syndrome.
XtraSpace has developed a relationship with the school over the past 12 months. Our team’s recent visit reminded us how inspiring the school’s work is.
The Cheré Botha School was founded in 1981 by Mike and Gloria Botha, in memory of their daughter, who was born with Down’s syndrome and died of leukaemia at age 4. Cheré Botha’s parents recognised the need for specialised early intervention and educational care for intellectually challenged young children, and today the school has over 200 pupils.
Next time you face obstacles, it’s a good idea to remember how difficult life is for some children. Simple tasks like communicating their needs, eating and going to the bathroom can pose huge challenges.
Schools like Cheré Botha help find solutions, providing these children with the special support they need to reach their full potential. For example, our team saw how some children use visual aids, placing laminated pictures on a Velcro board to ask to go to the bathroom.
Despite the challenges they face, both the children and staff at the school find the ability to smile, laugh and be grateful for all they have and do.
At XtraSpace, we look forward to continuing to build our relationship with the Cheré Botha School. The school will be storing goods for us and we’ll be endeavouring to support them in any way possible in the coming months and years.