In 2017, Sabrina Love Foundation formed a strategic collaboration with Artevelde University College in Belgium and Stellenbosch University to position Die Sterreweg, our day care centre, as a Centre of Excellence.
Artvelde initiated a program at their university whereby an interdisciplinary team of their best students will work jointly on a project, in South Africa, over a period of 3 years. They have to produce a business plan, implement it, and evaluate it. The scope of the business plan is to include major stakeholders within the Plettenberg Bay area, to assist in training, development and employment, and assist Die Sterreweg in becoming more sustainable.
The team consists of students from occupational therapy, communications management, speech language therapy, pre-primary, primary and secondary education, journalism, social work, special needs education, graphic design and media. Phase One is nearing completion where 15 students have been selected for the program. These students will spend time researching best practices and immersing themselves in South African and local culture, possibilities and obstacles. Thereafter, they will be spending two weeks in Plettenberg Bay, meeting all stakeholders and producing a business plan.
At the end of this preliminary program, a first draft synthesis will be compiled of the findings of the team addressing the challenges as proposed by Die Sterreweg and Sabrina Love Foundation. In this synthesis the students will formulate a proposal and a first draft action plan with the concrete steps to be undertaken by Die Sterreweg and Sabrina Love Foundation. Once approved, the students will test and document their findings during their visit to Die Sterreweg in September 2018.
The entire project, within the region of Plettenberg Bay, will follow an holistic approach with an accent of being able to offer the best service within the limit of resources at our disposal.
After a recent visit by Artevelde project leaders and meeting with stakeholders in our community, we are set to create a new level of excellence in South Africa in the field of caring for children with special needs.
