HI FRIENDS
Thanks so much for the way you guys have been praying for Madeleen and thanks to those who have helped financially supporting Madeleen up to now. I thought it would be good to write a quick report for you guys about how she is doing.
For those who do not know Madeleen, let me take a moment to introduce you to her. Madeleen is our oldest daughter and is 19 years old, and is autistic.
Last year we returned to South Africa to settle her into a special residential facility for 80-90 intellectually challenged adults. This community is at a place called, Camphill Village, close to Malmesbury in South Africa.
HOME
Madeleen lives in group-home with other people with special needs along with group-home leaders who provide stability and continuity, enabling residents to feel safe and cared for.
Madeleen loves her new family and is really very comfortable and settled in. She has become great friends with her family, and the home leaders and caretakers all have a very good report of Madeleen.
WORK
Camphill provides meaningful employment for residents in income generating enterprises where they are taught skills in baking breads, producing a variety of herbal cosmetics, massage oils and herbal deodorants, make a variety of cheeses and yoghurt, grow organic vegetables and assist in the care of the dairy herd.
Up to know Madeleen has been working in the bakery and she has been doing very well there. She has recently been “promoted” and now has much more responsibilities, which she takes very serious.
We again are very pleased about the reports we are getting about her work ethic and positive fun attitude.
THERAPY
Camphill provides residents with access to various therapies and individual skills development classes and creative therapies such as swimming, Equine therapy, voice training, reading and writing, listen therapy, movement exercise, art therapy, music lessons, singing and form drawing.
We have also acquired a weekly visit from a private social worker in Malmesbury, that has certain therapy sessions with Madeleen.
Again, we are very satisfied about the positive reports we are getting about Madeleens progress.
FAMILY VISITS
Since we left the Cape Province to focus on central South Africa for our home assignment, Madeleen has been supported by my parents in law. They went to visit Madeleen regularly, and also picked her up for a few weekend visits.
She also had some visits from other family and friends, which she has found very very encouraging.
We have only received good reports about how she is doing.
COSTS AND SUPPORT
Up to know most of Madeleen’s costs has been covered by a large donations we received from a church in the Western Cape, as well as some donations from individuals in South Africa as well as internationally.
We are thinking about starting a trust fund for Madeleen to help cover her living expenses, but not yet sure how to do that and how that works. So for now we continue receiving support for Madeleen into our accounts that’s then being used to support her.
Here is a breakdown of her expenses:
- Camphill accommodation – R6200 (430USD)
- Social worker visits – R2000 (140USD)
- Personal needs and pocket money – R2000 (140USD)
If you would like to help sponsor Madeleen it will also help support the Mengen work, as we are now using our Mengen ministry support to help carry Madeleens expenses.
At this moment donations towards Madeleen can be made into our South African account at:
- Standard Bank
- Account number – 238403122
- Reference – Madeleen
Or if you’re in international supporter you can make a donation via any of the NTM or ethnos websites, specifying that it’s for Madeleen. You can use the following link: Lourens and Marie Laureti
Thanks so much for being part of the Mengen work also in this way! Many blessings
Lourens
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