Project Coordinator, Biffy Dankwerts, writes -

Mascindane (which in Xhosa mean "Let's Help") is a centre for about 10-14 severely physically and mentally disabled children run by a wonderful lady called Nancy in Nyanga.  She has between 10-14 children (because Nancy can't say no to anyone who needs her care) ranging in age from 3 to 14 years old.  Only one of them can 'sort of' hold a conversation with me when I go out there. There are some that recognize me and the noise level does rise when I arrive and so do the smiles. 

But these children are really very severely disabled.  Nancy has one natural child amongst these and 2 foster children and has up to 10 of them that live with her 24 hours a day during the week.  Over a weekend she usually has about 5 of them still in her care for the weekend.  This means that the emotional pull on Nancy is never ending.

When I met Nancy through an old school friend, she had a very small four-roomed house (one bedroom, one narrow middle living room, one kitchen and bathroom in one, and the room for the children).  When she tried to get a government subsidy the authorities told her that her place was too small and that she should build on another room before they would consider her request.   We have since, with the help of the Ackerman Trust, Sanlam and Rotary, managed to add another room onto her house for the children.  This is still very small but at least the children have another room with more light and air.

I often go out unannounced to check up and have never seen the children looking unhappy or dirty.  She has wonderful carers who assist her in trying circumstances looking after these children 24 hours a day. 

Since completing the additional room for Nancy, Nancy has once again tried to apply for government subsidies to assist her.  The last time she tried the Social Services Department informed her that they would no longer be considering any new centres.

Nancy is always very grateful of any assistance that anyone can give her.  She always needs toiletries and disposable nappies (always a huge need as she goes through over  900 a month).  The club did a toy drive for our Christmas social one year and I always get sufficient donations of toys.  So they have lots of cuddly toys. 

If you have any educational toys for low intelligence children which are really sturdy, these would be welcome. Toiletries required are:  body cream, ear buds, surgical gloves, soap, powder, suppositories, toilet paper, jelly, wet wipes, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable nappies, etc.

For more details you can contact Biffy Danckwerts at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .