Perpetua House

Perpetua House opened its doors in January 2012 after it became clear that there was no suitable educational option for our teenage learners with intellectual disabilities who had been raised in an inclusive environment. As they grew older, these learners became increasingly aware that they were not able to keep pace academically with their peers, which had a significant impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging. We began with just seven learners, seated on garden furniture and taught using a chalkboard in a space never intended to be a school. Over a decade later, Perpetua House has supported many more learners and now operates from a house that has been carefully renovated to meet our specialised needs. Academically, we offer an adapted School of Skills curriculum, tailored to each learner’s ability. This includes Numeracy and Literacy at an appropriate level, as well as Natural Science, Social Science, and Life Skills, all aimed at enriching and empowering our learners’ lives. Half of each school day is dedicated to our skills programme, which focusses on practical, hands-on activities designed to prepare our learners for life beyond school. An integral part of this programme is baking, where learners work individually in the kitchen to produce baked goods. These are taken home to share with families, and some are sold at a local high school, fostering pride, responsibility, and real-world experience. Our curriculum is further enriched through Drama, Pottery, Playball, and Dance, all of which contribute to confidence, creativity, and quality of life. Learners are placed in age-appropriate grades so that they can experience school life alongside their peers and siblings, even though cognitively our strongest learners reach approximately a Grade 3 level. We place great value on providing a genuine school experience: we go on outings, attend school camps, and even host matric dances, where the entire school community and families are invited. Our goal is to create a meaningful and inclusive school journey within a special needs environment. Following 2020, we recognised a new challenge. Many of the facilities our matric learners moved on to were forced to close, leaving our graduates at home with little structure or purpose. In response, we established a workshop programme for our graduates. Today, Perpetua House Crafters operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Our Crafters produce a wide range of items, including beaded keyrings, scented candles, room diffusers, and more. These products are sold to families at selected markets and through our recently launched online shop. We have also successfully completed corporate contracts, producing branded keyrings, candles, room diffusers, and golf club covers, as well as wedding favours, commemorative items for a hospital marking Dr Barnard’s first heart transplant, and conference bag packing. The Crafters workshop is intentionally modelled on a real workplace. Participants sign in each day, enjoy scheduled tea breaks, and are paid for their work, reinforcing dignity, responsibility, and independence. Our learners and Crafters include individuals with Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other intellectual disabilities. At Perpetua House, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities, nurturing self-worth, and ensuring that every individual is valued, productive, and supported to live a fuller life.