#Start_a_chance for 60 special needs children

The first quarter of 2020 got off to a great start with the news that the purchase of land from the City of Cape Town had been approved - this is a major step forward, concluding three years of working towards a solution for Lonwabo Special care Centre.

At the start of March we were instructed to pay R630 000 ($31 500 at the current exchange rate) into the lawyers trust account to initiate transfer of the title deeds. At the time, we were stepping out in faith, knowing that we have some way to go to raise sufficient finds to begin construction. In December we established a new partnership with Bregal Milestone in the UK, who donated R320 000 towards the project. I am excited to let you know that shortly after this, the New Hope Foundation based in Sweden donated R500 000 towards the project, which more than covered the shortfall for the land purchase and moved us towards the funds needed to commence building!

Although we anticipated transfer to be complete by now, Covid-19 has undoubtedly impacted the process. In the meantime I am very happy to report that funds towards the construction of the new special care centre continue to grow through GlobalGiving - thank you to everyone who has contributed.

With South Africa going in to lockdown on March 19, we were very fortunate to be able to finalise a contract with a highly experienced Quantity Surveyor. After a quick flurry of activity, our architects managed to provide a set of technical plans in time for him to print them just before closing his offices. I have recently received the first comparative estimate of the construction cost in order for us to critically review which construction method will be most cost-effective.

There has never been a more crucial time in the 10 year history of Lonwabo Special Care Centre. 2020 started dramatically for principal Thandeka Mafila with the news that the Department of Social Development would cut the government subsidy which is crucial to their sustainability by 50% as of April. In short, the reason for this cut is that the centre cannot meet Department of Health requirements - as a result they have been instructed to reduce the number of children at a time when their waiting list for places is longer than ever!

But there is much hope at this time of urgent need:

• We are working hard to stay on schedule with our decision process and it is our intention to commence building during 4Q 2020, and with your continued support we believe we can have Lonwabo in their new centre by February 2021. Making this possible will mean that they can once again increase their numbers, begin shortenning the waiting list and provide much needed support across the broader community;
• In February, Starting Chance Education Team implemented our training and support programme designed specifically for Lonwabo staff and parents. The initial workshop and site visits by Jacqui, a very experienced occupational therapist, were tremendously impactful. Immediate benefits were seen in terms of improved sitting and feeding skills, for example, and these improve the quality of the service the team is able to provide which will ultimately contribute to Lonwabo's sustainability. Interestingly, principals of educares in our programme also requested that some of their teachers attend - showing how great the need is for upskilling in special care skills.

The subsidy cut has, of course, subsequently hit Lonwabo one month into the South African Covid-19 lockdown - it could not have come at a worse time because lockdown closure = no fees which they now depend upon more than ever to pay salaries! Fortunately for Lonwabo, another 2020 Starting Chance partnership with the Rachel Swart Foundation has rescued the Lonwabo team from financial ruin and this, I am pleased to report, will ensure the sustainability of their team through the Covid-19 lockdown so that they can resume operation when schools reopen.

As the lockdown bites harder, some Lonwabo parents are in a desperate situation. Nutrition is a major issue as families struggle to put food on their table and children no longer have the assurance of a meal at school. The Lonwabo team is ever aware of their plight, and is helping support reach several families thanks to the support provided by the Rachel Swart Foundation.

Starting Chance still needs to raise $ 50 000 to be able to complete the construction of Lonwabo to increase the capacity to 60 children. We intend phasing construction so that we can relocate them in February 2021, meet the health regulations and regain financial sustainability through access to their full grant for 35 to 40 children.

Amidst the chaos of Covid-19, thanks to the generosity of people such as you, we are daring to believe that despite all odds we will be ready! And what a day it will be, when the new centre opens to welcome children requiring special care in February 2021!