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The aim of Camphill Viallge West Coast is to provide care and employment for adults with/or physical and intellectual disability, particularly those who are at risk within their families and/or communities. We aim to create work and home environments which are mutually therapeutic and culturally and spiritually fulfilling to all.
In our work we strive to produce and provide products and services of quality that have a healing impact on the environment and the broader community. We are open to regular evaluation and are accountable in all aspects of life.
HISTORY
CAMPHILL VILLAGE was founded in 1964 on the farm named "Alpha". The main reason for this initiative was the provision of a community to take young adults who needed to move on from the Camphill School at Hemel-en-Aarde near Hermanus.
The farm was donated to Camphill, and looked at first very unpromising. The land is "Cape Flats" type soil, basically wind-blown sand layers of varying depth, with clay deposits below.
Some of the pioneers from that time are still living in the community, both villagers and co-workers.
The original property had two houses, now there are 17 houses, 8 workshops, farm buildings, a large community centre, a health and therapy centre, and a chapel.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF CAMPHILL VILLAGE
| VISION: |
A multi-facetted community where persons with disability interact with others for the benefit of all. |
| SCOPE: | The community may include any activity, economic, social, and spiritual, that does not harm people or nature. Commercial and professional enterprise is entered into for the benefit of persons with disability. Camphill Village is committed to the improvement of living standards in the surrounding communities, by providing solid employment for approximately 30 staff members mainly from the informal settlement of Witsand. Camphill Village has a very successful Youth Empowerment Programme in place. The programme runs for one year and involves 13 young people between the ages of 19 and 25 who live and work at Camphill Village. |
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: |
People with disabilities need a supportive environment to enable them to achieve their goals, and live life to the full. Within this environment are opportunities for careers and job satisfaction. Co-workers need to develop and apply skills in enabling initiative-taking and carrying of responsibility . |
| KEY FUNCTIONS: | The provision of properly managed social and economic environments where healthy life can take place. |
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SPIRITUAL LIFE |
| Camphill communities are mostly in Western countries. The religion practised is thus usually Christianity. Spiritual orientation is however a matter of personal preference, so there could be synagogues, mosques or any other kind of temple situated in the grounds of a Camphill community. There are regular services including funeral and children`s services, as well as study evenings and talks on themes of modern Christianity. The resident priest of the congregation, whose task it is to be there for all in the Village, whether they take an active part in the Church life or not, carries out pastoral work, caring for the soul and spiritual needs of the residents and co-workers. |
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A new programme is being developed, which is designed to meet the needs of a multi-cultural and multi-racial community. It pays particular attention to the fact that many of the new people coming into the Village have not only been deprived of basic material needs, but have often missed out on the warmth and caring of a stable family life and with that any appreciation or reverence for the beauty of nature and the uplifting of the soul, which can come about through religious stories and worship. The programme also aims to help the younger people in particular to develop life skills and the ability to take their destiny in their own hands and fulfil their potential as human beings. The Chapel Services are open to anyone outside Camphill who wishes to take part. For further information, contact: Rev. Reglind Koehlcke : Tel 021-572-5922 or email: peter@camphill.co.za |
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CAMPHILL VILLAGE’S GROUP-HOMES |
| Our group-homes are the essential part of life in Camphill. These homes are a kind of extended family environment, populated with people with intellectual disabilities, co-workers who are house-leaders (and their children), and young volunteer assistants. There is always a wide range of capabilities as well as disabilities in these house communities, so life is managed co-operatively. House-leaders encourage a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance, and help people to take initiative and develop their social skills. Where possible residents are assisted to return to their families or communities if the process of reintegration and socialisation has been achieved. |
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