Since there is minimal financial support available from the government for children with intellectual disabilities, we need your help to educate, develop and nurture the children with Down Syndrome and related intellectual disabilities in our community. In response to a vision that the Lord has given us, we've established the Thrive DS Foundation NPC to be able to increase the number of children which we can care for, and also to create an organisation which will be sustainable and able to carry on the work beyond our lifespan.

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Over the past 16 years, my wife and I have been involved with many families across South Africa that have children with Down Syndrome. We have taken several children into our home, as a place of safety, while “forever families” have been found to adopt them, and we’ve walked a road with many families.

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Our personal journey started at the beginning of 2007, when we adopted our son who was left in the hospital by his biological parents because he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) and would require heart surgery. We have learned much from him as we’ve journeyed through life together. He has exceeded all expectations and broken stereotypes, truly flourishing. Whilst verbal communication has been difficult for him, he learns sign language very quickly, and has developed tools that enable him to make himself understood by others. With South Africa set to confirm SA Sign Language as the 12th official language, the greater environment is changing to become more “user friendly” as it opens up to non-verbal communicators.

Please consider walking this road with us, and providing financial support where possible, to create a sustainable environment to benefit children and young adults with Down Syndrome and related intellectual disabilities. The need is great, so we can use all the help and support that we can get. Our mission is to spend our time and energy investing in people with Down Syndrome and related disabilities, including those whose families can’t afford the care and input that they need.

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The help and generosity of our partners and supporters’ makes a life-changing difference.