The Sally Aucamp home, situated in Cassandra, is facing a monthly shortfall that threatens the comfort and dignity of its twelve residents. The residents are category 3 disabled and are unable to care for themselves. The depend entirely on caregivers for their daily needs.

The home was initially established in 1960 as a children’s home but later had to be moved to larger premises. It then became home to the disabled and elderly.

The home spends about R6,000 a month on nappies but can only afford around R4,000, leaving a R2,000 shortfall. 

Sally Aucamp Home residents designed their own T-shirts.  Photo: Facebook/Sally Aucamp Home for the Physically Disabled

“The shortage is not that they suddenly use more nappies,” said Sally Aucamp Home matron Elize Cilliers.

“It’s because the nappies have become so expensive that we can’t cover the cost anymore. There are residents using nappies daily. Some use two, some use three, and some use four nappies a day.”

“Government subsidies do not cover all operational costs, leaving the home with a monthly deficit of about R35,000. We can’t even pay the salaries for the workers. We are constantly in a shortfall.”

Beyond their physical needs, the emotional well-being of residents at the Sally Aucamp Home remains a growing concern. With limited mobility and severe physical disabilities, residents are unable to independently engage with the outside world, making regular interaction and companionship essential.

Cilliers encouraged community members to visit the home, spend time with residents, sing with them, tell stories, or simply sit and talk. While these gestures may seem small, “they help restore a sense of dignity, belonging, and human connection to residents who are often overlooked and isolated”.

“Many of our residents become lonely, and they feel like they don’t belong in society,” she said. “One of the most important things for any human being is to be seen and to be loved; that’s why we need people to come and visit.”

The Sally Aucamp Home is appealing to individuals and businesses to step in with much-needed support. Beyond nappies, the management is calling for consistent monthly financial contributions to help cover operational expenses.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvs