As we look back on this year we feel overwhelmed and so grateful for all the care, kindness and support from volunteers and students and for funding and donations received. Philakade would never be able to offer the care it does without your support. 

Moments from this year: arts and craft, playing pool and 1 of the 43 trees donated and planted by local conservancy and garden groups.  Indoor and outdoor activities.

Angel paws visited monthly and brought much joy and affection as does Lucy our resident Jack Russell.

Two compassion fatigue workshops for staff were organised during 2023 and facilitated by volunteers, using clay, dance, drumming and imagery.

Rehab therapy and helping residents regain as much independence as possible remain one of Philakade’s main objectives.  This year our piano was tuned for a resident who used to look after the grand piano for the KZNPO.  Vegetable gardens installed at wheelchair height were made by Sibu our maintenance guy, and an outdoor gym and a bicycle for one of our children was donated.   Sibu also built an outdoor swing for kids to play on.

We received funding for iPads, which are great Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools. These are making a huge difference to residents unable to communicate verbally, and our volunteer AAC therapists are now able to do far more, using iPads to teach communication skills.

A chicken coop was built for donated chickens and we received funding for a carpentry workshop.  This means the residents working in the carpentry income generating project are now able to work during bad weather.  Above are photos of a cat box and chairs – ordered by customers and made at Philakade. We hope to increase marketing the workshop products next year.

A great outing this year was to the Moses Mabhida Stadium to watch a Pirates match.  There is quite a bit of rivalry between Chiefs and Pirates supporters and during televised soccer matches, people down in the valley can hear the shouting and singing from the Philakade lounge where everyone gathers around the big screen. A recent donation of a play station with soccer video games has been a great hit.

The coffee shop was officially opened in May.  Kwanele, who runs the coffee shop, also  took over the running of the Friday morning tuckshop for residents, which was started and is supported by one of our committed volunteers.

Philakade hosted a group of young people from Centacow Mission near Ixopo. They had won a local talent competition and came to perform for the residents – who loved the singing and dancing.

We celebrated  4^th year anniversary in November.  The staff dressed up and organised fun and games and a braai.  A great day.

Philakade drilled for water this year and found water at 285m during the second drill. This borehole has not yielded the water we initially thought it would from the yield test.  Further water security will be explored during 2024.

Residents made Christmas decorations, while staff packed Christmas present parcels for residents.

We wish you a joyful festive season and a Happy and Peaceful New Year. From Residents and Staff.