Project: Elim Home
MAMA: Lesinda
Started in: 1963
Partner since: 2017
Location: Bredasdorp & Gansbaai, Western Cape
Number of children: 10 (supported by MAMAS), 84 (total)
Special: The supervision in day care is partly done by mothers of the children themselves.
Elim Home
Abantwana
Arebaokeng
Breede Valley APD
Bright Beginnings
Catch
Children of the Dawn - Ermelo
Children of the Dawn - Lenyenye
Children of the Dawn - Matatiele
Children of the Dawn - Mpumaze
Duncan Village
Elim Home
Elkana
Etafeni
Hantam
Inspire
Iya Bana
James House - Hout Bay
James House - Vredendal
Kids Haven
Kurisanani
Kurisanani - Shelter
Lesedi
LETCEE - Eshane
LETCEE - Njengabantu
LETCEE - The Barracks
Musina Initiative
Ndlovu
New BeginningZ
Norsa
NOSA
Ntsoanatsatsi
PUSH
Rearabilwe
Refugee Childrens Project
Siyakha Isizwe
Star Uplifting Centre
Swa Vana
Thamsanqa
Thanda
Thusanang
TREE - Centocow
TREE - Flagstaff
Ubuntu4All
Woza Moya
Description
MAMA
Photos
Story
Elim Home
Project: Elim Home
MAMA: Lesinda
Started in: 1963
Partner since: 2017
Location: Bredasdorp & Gansbaai, Western Cape
Number of children: 10 (supported by MAMAS), 84 (total)
Special: The supervision in day care is partly done by mothers of the children themselves.
Elim is the name of a biblical place which was an oasis in a long stretch of a desert. The two centres of Elim Home in the Western Cape are a similar island of hope in an impoverished environment where children and youth with disabilities have little hope. This day care provides professional physical, mental and psychological care, support, nourishment and endless love on a daily basis.
Disabled children in South Africa are often left to their own devices. Elim Home makes sure that these particular children get the care they so badly need. Elim Home is an island of hope in an impoverished environment where unemployment, substance abuse and alcoholism are the order of the day.
At the moment, 50 children from the age of 3 live at Elim Home. And another 24 live in an auxiliary facility in the nearby Gansbaai. They get 24-hour optimal care. The children are divided into small groups. Each of these groups has its own house mother who lovingly and patiently takes care of her ‘own’ children. The children also get physical therapy and learn, on their own level, how to do things independently.
The parents are closely involved with the care, and help around with the cooking or in the vegetable garden for example. Elim Home has a clinic where the parents and caregivers of disabled children living at home can go for advice or counselling. The MAMAS also visit these families at home.
Lesinda Cunningham
Lesinda Cunningham is the MAMA in charge of Elim Home. She knows all the children by name and passionately leads her team of employees and volunteers. She says: “The little things I do, I do with all my love. Love for the children! Every life has a meaning including that of a child who may not be able to walk or sit upright, or who can’t talk, hear or see. If children feel loved and they receive the care they need, you’ll see them grow, even though this growth may not seem much in the eyes of able bodied people. Every step forward and every smile makes our efforts more than worthwhile.”
©Mamas
Alliance 2026
Supported by