Cape Town - The Agapé School for Special Needs opened a new building housing four new classrooms to accommodate learners living with autism.
The school provides support to children with special needs, such as cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
School principal, Bernice Lambert, was thankful for the support from sponsors and families.
“Agapé School is grateful for the contribution by the funders of this worthy project. We are greatly in need of facilities for our learners with special needs. These four classrooms comprise phase one of our ambition to build a substantial centre. On behalf of the school and the school governing body (SGB), thank you,” Lambert said.
Key sponsors include Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), the Rotary Club of Newlands, Corobrik, and Stonehage Fleming Charitable Foundation.
The partnership was formed in early 2020 after the school and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) approached the Rotary club for assistance to evaluate, plan, fund and construct the extension of the school.
“We envisage a substantial ASD Centre with up to 10 classrooms, a kitchen facility and treatment and assessment rooms, which will be vital for the school to continue to support those with special needs,” said John Winship of the Rotary club.
“The amount of kids waiting to be housed in a school like this is amazing. We want to create a space where all of them can be the very best they can be,” said John Joubert from CCPB.
Evelyn Carstens, a parent of the SGB whose son Mathew attends the school, also expressed her delight at the work being done at the school and what it meant for her son.
“My son joined the school at 7 years old and he’s never been happier. Everyone was so welcoming when he first came here, and ever since he’s been on a journey of his own. He loves his teacher and the school,” she said.