Mind Over Matter

About

Mind Over Matter was started by Celestine Smith, and co-founders Joseph Apollis, Esmeralda Lewis and Irene Kroukamp in 2007 as a support group for mentally challenged people. Although Joseph, Esmeralda and Irene are no longer with the organisation, their groundwork to establish the incentive remains invaluable.

Over the years this service grew to include those with physical disabilities.

Celestine Smith

Celestine struggled with psychological issues of her own, and was fortunate to have had parents who were able to provide her with specialised medical care and therapy. 

In 1998, she lived her dream of helping her community by working at the Child Welfare Organisation. She gained administrative knowledge to get started with her support group.

After going on to become a social auxiliary worker and with help from her family and friends, Celestine established Mind Over Matter. 

In 2009, with the support of students from the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, and Dutch HAN students attending Cape Peninsula University of Technology, donations started to trickle in. Then the big break Celestine had prayed for, the Overberg Regional Municipality boosted Mind Over Matter with a donation of R30,000!

The Department of Social Development and the Department of Art & Culture have been providing funding for Mind Over Matter since 2012.

Daycare

Mind Over Matter’s daycare program includes a full itinerary of activities that emulate the love and care of a home away from home.

Daycare Itinerary

• Breakfast (porridge)
• Tea Time (sandwiches)
• Lunch (nourishing hot meal)
• Craft Programs
• Vegetable Gardening 
• Basic Literature Classes

Daycare Applications

Mind Over Matter accepts daycare applications from locals living in the Genadendal, Greyton, Berea and Voorstekraal areas.

Requirements

• Mental Disability
• 18 - 60 Years of Age
• Valid South African ID Document

Contact Celestine Smith at Mind Over Matter for more information.

Feeding Scheme

Mind Over Matter strives to help the community and provide a feeding scheme that distributes nourishing meals to those in need.

Other than using fresh produce grown in the Mind Over Matter veggie garden, the feeding scheme welcomes donations of ingredients that include:

• Meat
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Grains
• Pulses
• Pantry Essentials

Contact Mind Over Matter for more information about the feeding scheme, donations and how you can help.

Donations

Mind Over Matter is a non-profit organisation that relies heavily on donations to function and grow sustainably.

Bank Details

First National Bank
Cheque Account Number: 62278311817
Branch Code: 250655
Reference: State how you would like your donation spent (food, materials, etc).

Wish List

Sometimes the most valuable donation could be hiding in plain sight in your kitchen or garage. The organisation welcomes: 

• Food (ingredients)
• Clothing (pre-loved and new)
• Blankets (always put to good use)
• Heaters (to warm the daycare centre)
• Music Instruments (good condition)
• Gardening Equipment (from spades to wheelbarrows)
• Tools (general workshop)
• Fencing (to protect the daycare centre)
• Pallets (to create garden fencing and partitions)

Mind Over Matter pays it forward by allocating excess items to other NPOs in need.