Butterfly Kids

THE BUTTERFLY CENTRE IS A VITAL COMMUNITY PROJECT IN THE VILLAGE OF STANFORD, WESTERN CAPE, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

Good day, and let me introduce myself. My name is Jami Kastner, and I am the founder and Chairman of the Butterfly Centre. It is a project born from tragedy and desperately needed in our area, brought to reality through faith and miracles.

In 2013 we tragically lost our youngest son, Sam. At the same time, we were searching for a suitable learning environment for our oldest son Jack, having been diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and severe learning challenges.

In May 2014, in order to honour Sam’s life and at the same time help children like Jack and their families, the doors to the Butterfly Centre were opened at rented premises in the village of Stanford.

What We Do:

The Butterfly Centre is a centre for specialised learning which caters for children who do not fit into the mainstream environment for a variety of reasons.

At the Centre these children, often previously marginalised, are given the opportunity to fulfill their own personal full potential. This takes a very one on one approach, combined with specialised learning techniques. Most of our students are unable to pay full fees, so fundraising is vital to continue to manage and grow the project.

The children also benefit from the involvement of our wonderful volunteers and receive music, art and sports training. We have incredibly dedicated, passionate and skilled staff and are grateful for them every day.

Our goal at the Centre is to graduate young men and women who are employable and, together with their families, are empowered to deal with their challenges.

The Future:

We need to consider the long term future of the children as they grow into adulthood. This is one of the many reasons why we have been raising funds to move the Centre to dedicated land at Stanford Hills Estate, at a very nominal rental. The saving of rental means it is possible for the Centre to become more self-sustainable in the future.

Circumstances dictated that our move had become really urgent, and so with R500 000 from the Nussbaum Foundation, some further fundraisers and a loan from Build It we were confident in our ability to complete the move. We have managed to complete Phase 1 of the building in time for the 2020 school year, and these facilities opened on 15 January 2020, with 15 children and a further 2 waiting to begin.

Here on the farm, surrounded by nature and animals, the children are continuing with their academic work but at the same time can receive real practical skills training. This will allow them to gain the necessary skills to be employable and productive adults living purposeful lives.

We have already seen the improvement in the children now that they benefit from nature walks and interaction on a daily basis. They also are benefiting from horseriding, sports therapy and individualised water safety/ swim therapy in the farm pool, thanks to amazing volunteers from African Horse Company and Grootbos Foundation.

We are looking at organising an open day towards the end of April 2020, so get in touch if you want to come and see what has already been achieved, and find out more about our dreams for the future. Send a mail to tbcoffice@gmail.com

What Do We Need?

We are constantly busy with fundraisers which bring in smaller amounts, but our BIG dream is to raise the R700 000 needed to complete Phase 2.

But we are never ones to dream small. The more money we can raise, the better the facilities can be. Long term, we dream of therapy rooms, a sensory room, stables from which to offer horse therapy and a therapy pool. All facilities which will benefit the whole community as well as the children of The Butterfly Centre.

The facility, once phase 2 is completed, will be made available for training in the field of helping neurodiverse children, which is a vital part of the vision for the future.

How Can You Help?

Support the Ladies to Ladies Lighthouse walk in March 2020, by sponsoring my walk of 100km. All funds raised at the 2020 walk will go towards helping the Butterfly Centre project. Find out more here.

Hi. My name is Jami Kastner, I am the founder of The Butterfly Centre. I am leaving on Thursday 12 March to walk 100km with Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies to raise funds for this vital community project and NPO. It’s so easy to sponsor my walk, and I don’t want huge donations…I’m looking to see the true Butterfly Effect…if everyone I know could sponsor R0.50 per km, so just R50 in total, imagine the impact that could have!

Please share, those who know our story know what this project means to us.

Deposit your R50 to:

Lighthouse Ladies

ABSA

Branch: 632005

Savings Account: 9310639996

Ref: Jami Kastner

Send POP to finance@lighthouse2lighthouse.co.za

Thanks to each and every one of you, and there are so very many, who have helped and continue to help us make this dream come true.

We can’t wait to watch the Butterfly Centre truly unfold its’ wings, and fly.

Please contact us with any questions, or to arrange to visit us!

Thank you once again, from all of us at The Butterfly Centre, but especially these special children

With all my love

Jami Kastner and the Butterfly Children

IN LOVING MEMORY FOREVER OF SAMUEL JAMES KASTNER 20 July 2011 - 08 February 2013