Up with Downs was established in 1998 by parents of children with Down syndrome who saw no alternative for their children other than sending them far away to live in a hostel environment. The need for special care and schooling for their children was the main aim.
Today the aim remains to provide a specialized education that will meet the needs of children with special needs.
Up with Downs is a non-profitable organization. It operates within a Trust under the supervision of a Board of Trustees and is managed by the parents.
The school acknowledges each child’s own potential and works in collaboration with the parents to build each child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
STUDENT CRITERIA
Children from 5 years of age and upwards can apply for acceptance into Up with Downs School. The acceptance criterion is based on the age of the child and the manageability of the child within the classroom setting. A two week probationary period for all new children is required for the sole reason that all children must benefit from the program that the school offers, intellectually, emotionally and behaviourally.
Entrance into the Adult program is for adults 18 years of age or older. These adults can be graduating students from Up with Downs or adults from outside the school. Currently both our adult programs are full.
For more information please contact us.
OUR STAFF
The staff’s vision at Up with Downs is to create a safe haven for special needs children, where each person can develop at his/her pace into a valued member of society.
INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS
Income generating projects are run by the Training Centre as part of the Adult program. Those people who have had our chocolate chip cookies and our quiches will agree with us that they are the best in town! These are baked on a Thursday morning.
We have also expanded our income generating projects to:
- frozen meals – so far we make lasagne and bobotie
- pancakes
- cupcakes and
- birthday cakes.
All of these are made to order and special arrangements can be made if you need your goodies on a specific day or packaged in a specific way. Please don’t hesitate to contact Brenda Boshoff for more information on 044-870 0522 or 082853 5018 or email her at bb@upwithdowns.co.za.
SHORT HISTORY
From humble beginnings in 1998, the Up with Downs school in George has grown into a sought after facility that provides an education tailored to the individual need of each and every one of its special needs students. In a small, loving but structured environment, our staff encourage all learners to reach their full potential and become the very best that they can be.
1998 The moms of four young Down Syndrome girls stared a ‘play group’. Nicole Seegmuller, Christi Steyl, Annika Boshoff and Laiken Fyfe
1999 the group moved to an outbuilding at de Bult High School
2000 moved to Swindel Cottage behind the Anglican Church
2005 the Up with Downs Trust was formed, and registered as a Non Profit Organisation
2006 moved into the current school building, 25 Pieter Theron St
2008 opened a school hostel at 23 Pieter Theron St. The Van Geel Family Foundation funded the renovations
2009 the Van Geel Family Foundation purchased the hostel property from the C.C. and donated it to The Up with Downs Trust
2011 original Adult Centre was opened thanks to the Oubaai Invitational Golf Tournament
2014 26 Pieter Theron St. was purchased and is ear marked for a full time adult home
2016 current Adult Training Centre, 27 Pieter Theron was purchased by Anchor Your Life, an American based ministry
2018 Celebrating 20 Years!
2019 Working towards building the Adult Home
2022 New Adult Home completed and fully occupied
2023 Celebrating 25 Years!