Latest news from The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa, providing lower resourced families of children on the autism spectrum with free access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.
1. Fantastic programmes bringing smiles to our EEC families
The Ernie Els Centre for Autism (EEC) regularly hosts some wonderfully interactive events, among them recently a music and dance session (pictured above) with one of South Africa’s top young DJs. Also last month the EEC, together with Autism South Africa and The Johannesburg Hospital School for Children with Autism, hosted this year’s second sibling support group (STARS – Siblings That Are Really Special).
This event took place at the Children’s Memorial Institute and was open to all families who have a child diagnosed with ASD. Here, families experienced some fun group activities and were given quality time with peers and fellow parents to build lifelong networks of support. We were also lucky to have present staff from the Lefika Art Therapy Centre, to provide our kids with the extraordinary opportunity to express themselves through art. All the children with ASD were kept busy with an array of play tools, to allow their families to experience this lovely event. Thank you to all staff members and families who made this event an unforgettable one. Our next STARS gathering is on 1 August.
The music and dance event, held in collaboration with staff from the Johannesburg Hospital School, was the perfect illustration of the positive effect that music can have on children. Starting as a comment made in a sibling support group, a call was made to local music producer Aeronaut 84. He in turn recruited Elster Pieterse of the Pioneer DJ Institute, along with South Africa’s youngest DJ, 13-year old DJ Dylan SA, who performed for a group of children that danced together and ventured out of their preferred corners to smile and enjoy the music. Following this excellent adventure, Aeroanaut 84, Elster and Dylan guided some of the children in producing music themselves. The children were incredibly interested in the equipment and some of them took to it within minutes! Thank you to everyone involved for creating a magical experience for our kids.
2. Our Braamfontein centre is undergoing a facelift!
Since The Ernie Els Centre for Autism’s inception in 2011, Els for Autism has prided itself on providing free guidance and training to South African families with children on the Spectrum. Our Centre is now growing in size and it’s also received a facelift, with the help of a few friends! In 2011 the Centre opened its doors at the Children’s Memorial Institute Building (CMI) in Braamfontein and consisted of one room with a facilitator providing services to several families. We’ve since grown to comprise four rooms, with a team of three facilitators and a coordinator, working with over 110 families throughout the country. In order to ensure that we offer even more opportunities for our families to experience in-Centre sessions, we are renovating our reception room area to incorporate an additional child room space. Work begins in the next few weeks, thanks to the generosity of some donors who shall remain nameless, although we must thank Warrior Paint for its kind donation of paint.
3. Autism is not GameOVER, it’s #GameON!
23 June was an exceptional day for Els for Autism in South Africa. Not only did we host another successful golf day fundraiser, we also began the morning with another GameON golf clinic, a series that has been such a big hit already in the US. A total of 13 children from The Ernie Els Centre for Autism, along with the Key School, came to Randpark and experienced a fun 90-minute golf clinic. Since 2013, children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum across the US have been taking part in this innovative program created by Els for Autism. This Clinic is tailored for individuals on the spectrum and is a wonderful tool for developing a variety of skills, encouraging social interaction and promoting healthy living. Since 2014, The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa has been conducting its own series of GameON golf clinics, the latest being our fourth in Gauteng. We aim to conduct three further clinics in 2015, in a variety of provinces. Please see details below (Diary Dates) or refer to our website.
4. Arno Jordaan hosts memorable day in aid of Els for Autism
Els for Autism was fortunate enough to be the foundation chosen to benefit from pop singer Arno Jordaan’s annual Golf Day fundraiser for 2015. Arno was an unbelievably generous host who made sure that all who participated had fun, but he also went above and beyond to ensure that the Els for Autism cause was made clear to all. Arno ensured that everyone wore our autism awareness pins and a personalised video from Ernie was shown to everyone in attendance, along with an informative video regarding The Ernie Els Centre for Autism’s range of services. Thank you to Arno and his team for their support and generosity.
5. Join rugby legend Victor Matfield and ride for Els for Autism
The 94.7 Momentum Cycle Challenge offers cyclists the opportunity to raise awareness and funds to causes close to their hearts. We invite you to cycle for the Els for Autism team, this year featuring the mighty Victor Matfield. We need a minimum of 20 registered cyclists to form an official team for the RIDE FOR A PURPOSE initiative this November. Once we have the privilege of having you on our team, we ask that you commit to raising a minimum of R1500, by any means you choose. The more money we raise as a team, the better chance we have of receiving early start times for the next cycle challenge.
Furthermore, whoever manages to raise the most funds for us will receive a surprise gift for all their hard work. If that was not enough incentive, as we said, we are fortunate enough to have the wonderful Victor Matfield as part of our winning team for this year. Please note that you will be given an Ernie Els Centre cycling team shirt, as a token of our appreciation, to wear for the day. For further information, please email shani.zuk@ernieels.com.
DIARY DATES
The Ernie Els Centre for Autism upcoming events
Els for Autism hosts an annual series of events designed to raise funds to create and sustain The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa.
Els for Autism Golf Fundraiser events
The Els Club, Copperleaf (Centurion), 9 July 2015
Oubaai Golf Club (George), 24 July 2015
De Zalze Golf Club (Stellenbosch), 3 November 2015
Durban Country Club, date to be confirmed
Highland Gate, date to be confirmed
GameON Autism Clinics
Oubaai Golf Club (George), 24 July 2015
De Zalze Golf Club (Stellenbosch), 3 November 2015
Durban Country Club, date to be confirmed
Other fundraiser events
Parker’s Comedy Evening fundraiser, 1 September 2015
Ride for a purpose Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge, 15 November 2015
To learn more about Autism, the Els for Autism Global foundation, as well as The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa, please visit:
http://www.elsforautism.com
http://www.ernieelscentre4autism.co.za
