As a pioneer Centre, Boikanyo Mentally & Disabled Children Centre is always trying to provide not only service but also disseminating disabled related knowledge and other essential skills according to "social Model of Disability" We hope that in future, the centre will be the main resource centre for disabled people in the country.

Vision: To provide an environment where physically and intellectually disabled children enjoy equal opportunities and can live with dignity leading to changes in society.

Mission: To value, respect and accept disabled children and support them to live with with love and dignity and enjoy equal opportunities with their peers.

The centre's main aims and objectives are to:-

> Educate the children to be able to cope with their every day's needs. eg, using the toilet facilities, dress themselves, etc, etc.

> Build a bridge between education and disability by offering the children educational facilities most of them never afford.

> Teach our community ways to understand and cope with disability.

> Create emplymemt in the effort to fight crime and poverty in our community.

> As a community project, the Centre is built on a strong community based platform which consists of 23 children, 2 communities, 4 full time employees and members of the Lutheran church.

> The Executive Board consists of 6 members and manages the entire organization.

> The church is the important supporting structure for the organization. Counseling, Fund-Raising, Man-Power and Marketing are some of the support that the church offers on an ongoing basis.

> 4 employees are responsible for making the Centre run smoothly. There are 2 teachers, 1 cleaner/cook, 1 Gardner/handyman and a communications officer.

Management Staff

> Centre Manager: Super Maphage

> Head Teacher

> Communications Officer

General Staff

> 1 cleaner

> 1 Gardner/Handyman

> 3 General Assistants

Supporting Bodies

> Executive Committee (6)

> Sub-Committee (6)

> Youth Committee (6)

> Members of the Free Methodist Church

At the moment, the Centre caters for 23 children of different age-groups and dishabilles.

Forms of disabilities

> Cerebral Palsied: They are physically paralyzed; therefore, they can not do anything for themselves and need full-time attention.

> Mentally Retarded: They are mentally disabled and can not think for themselves; therefore, the left side of their body is affected from the brain to the root.

> Autism: They often have swollen heads which is the result of too much water in their heads. A device called a shunt is planted their heads for the draining of water.

> Down Syndrome: They are partially independent and still need supervision from time to time as they are slow-learners. They enjoy music and playing quite a lot.

The Centre has managed to secure sponsorship with companies such as The Carousel, which has been sponsoring the Centre with Christmas presents. Point of difference has been donating food, clothes and sometimes they bring donors BAR ONE PTY-LTD, SABC3 who did some renovations on the premises. A donation from TZU-CHI Foundation helped the Centre with food and furniture. University of Pretoria helps the Centre with assisting learners with speech and therapy and also donated  a computer and a bed.

The Centre is still in negotiations with companies like Ashanti Anglo Gold, Pick N'Pay, Woolworths, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and many more. An outcome from The Department of Health on our application for funding has been successful where funds have been alocated to the Centre during December.

Our top achievements at this point is the improvement we see in our pupils. The testimonies we continuously receive from parents and occupational therapists is the proof for this. Just like any other organization, the road for Boikanyo Mentally & Disabled Children Centre has not been easy.

The first blow to the Centre was when the drainage system and roof were damaged, meaning that the Boikanyo Mentally & Disabled Children Centre battles with water during the rainy season. There also were break-ins and robbery in June 2010 where a computer and children's food were stolen, along with several other equipments.

The following activities are conducted for the benefit of the children at Boikanyo Mentally & Disabled Children Centre :

> Stimulation Programs

> Exercising

> Playground games

> Art & Craft

> Social Training

> Singing & Acting