{"id":53466,"date":"2020-01-16T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T04:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/angels-flourish-under-her-wing-20200115-2\/"},"modified":"2020-01-16T06:00:20","modified_gmt":"2020-01-16T04:00:20","slug":"angels-flourish-under-her-wing-20200115-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/angels-flourish-under-her-wing-20200115-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Angels\u2019 flourish under her wing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n S<\/span>HE is warm, expressive and inviting with a bright smile and much enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Sitting on a small, wooden chair in the classroom of Rainbow Angels in Humansdorp, Eva Steen (40) talks about her life-long passion: being an avid advocate for learners with severe disabilities.<\/p>\n

A career that happened by chance \u2013 teaching, directing programmes and being able to influence and mentor learners. <\/p>\n

Even though it was never something she dreamt of doing.<\/p>\n

Wearing a blue T-shirt and purple-framed glasses, she gives off an upbeat, confident air: \u201cAs a young health care student I built castles around a successful career at a day care centre.\u201cBut fate had other plans with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it came to her internship period, she was placed at a school with double disabled learners (mentally and physically) \u2013 her third choice.<\/p>\n

Steen\u2019s warm laughter fills the air: \u201cWithin days my heart was set on teaching and assisting children with special needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

After qualifying, she spent 12 months in 2009 at the Rainbow Centre in Humansdorp, after which she returned for four years to her home town in the Netherlands before returning to Humansdorp.<\/p>\n

\n Rainbow Angels<\/b>\n<\/p>\n

Today, she runs a team of four inspirational practitioners at Rainbow Angels situated at the Shalom Centre in Kruisfontein. <\/p>\n

The institute, a non-profit organisation headed under Victory4All and tailored to meet the needs of the children with appropriate furniture and equipment, is home to 13 less-privileged children with cerebral palsy \u2013 all between the ages of 6 and 16.<\/p>\n

Along with her natural talent, Steen\u2019s qualification and years of experience, allow her a unique perspective when tackling her daily role.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is our mission to bring education \u2013 however basic it might be \u2013 therapy and basic life skills to children with severe disabilities,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn a cerebral palsy specific setting we are able to tailor the environment to include high levels of environmental and visual structure, so that the learners are able to access a range of play activities to support their engagement and progress in the areas identified in their individual education plans.\u201d <\/p>\n

The space allows for separate rooms for individual teaching\/ intervention work, a play area, as well as an in-house sensory and soft play area.<\/p>\n

It furthermore offers a shower room and outside space, which is an essential part of the curriculum.<\/p>\n

Adding to learners\u2019 progress are horse riding and swimming classes, as well as basic sport exercises and a physiotherapist once a month.<\/p>\n

According to Steen, they spend a lot of time building strong relationships between the learners and staff members in order for the children to feel safe at school and able to trust the adults to support them to learn new skills and help them through difficult times.<\/p>\n

\n Small victories<\/b>\n<\/p>\n

What is the best part about her calling?<\/p>\n

Steen beams with pride: \u201cIt is truly satisfying to see them grow. Even if it is only to touch a soap bubble floating in the air or to move a wooden block with their hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften in the beginning, they struggle terribly, and then we get to work. They work hard, harder than most students, and they accomplish so much.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learn from the children every day. They teach me true diversity and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n What it takes to succeed<\/b>\n<\/p>\n

When asked what does it take to succeed as a special needs teacher, Steen smiles, \u201cIt is not always easy to understand children with disabilities, and it is even more difficult to know what a child with cerebral palsy needs or wants due to the often severe deficit in communication.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe minority of learners at Rainbow Angels can effectively communicate verbally; we thus mainly use hand gestures and pictogrammes to communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continues that a great deal of patience and perseverance, as well as a true passion, is necessary to be successful. <\/p>\n

\u201cAdd to that a keen ability to observe and analyse behaviours, as well as determination. If at first you do not succeed, try and try again. And again . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever challenging, working with special-needs individuals is one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n Future dreams<\/b>\n<\/p>\n

Her dreams for the future? <\/p>\n

To be able to accommodate more learners at the school and to construct an on-site swimming pool. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut for this, we require much-needed funds,\u201d says Steen whose career goal is to make a difference in the lives of as many children with disabilities as she can.<\/p>\n

Something she is already doing.<\/p>\n