Tryphina Makhubele, is the founder of Tshembhosi Shelter in Lilydale, where she and other teachers cater to ninety-five children who are enrolled; mainly those with Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and Hydrocephalus as well as children who are physically disabled, hearing impaired and mentally underdeveloped.

Before the Shelter opened, Tryphina was determined to provide a decent education to her son with Down syndrome because she believes that every child deserves a proper education and disabilities should not restrain this from taking place.

Once Tryphina had failed to get her son accepted into a public school, she decided to do research on the feasibility of opening a centre for children with special needs. Her research results indicated that approximately 57 children in the area had the syndrome with no school specifically dedicated to stimulate their development.

The school was set up with funding from the local Catholic Church, and began with supporting 15 disabled children. In order to provide the children with structured classes that catered to each child’s needs, Mapulaneng Hospital in Bushbuckridge assisted Tryphina with lessons for each disability.

Since it has opened, Tryphina was awarded the best achiever award from Munghane Lonene FM (a Limpopo based radio station) and received a donation of R30000 with which she bought a computer, desks and tables.

The Community Work Programme (CWP) identified that Tshembhosi Shelter still needed help with using specialised learning materials, more classrooms as some of the learners were stationed in the corridor, and additional training to the seven volunteers who teach the children.

CWP assisted with the above problems as well as clearing the yard, setting up a homestead garden which provides the children and teachers with nutritional support. CWP participant Skhumbuzo Khosa, who is hearing impaired, has also added tremendous value to the centre. He is working as an assistant, teaching deaf children. Above educational needs, CWP has recognised that these children require love, a human need that this Shelter definitely possesses.