This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pebbles Project who have established themselves firmly within the wine industry as an organisation which aims to enrich the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds with special educational needs.
Started as a tiny pebble by Sophia Warner who came to South Africa from the UK with a 13-year background in special needs teaching, the organization has developed into a much larger pebble, all thanks to the support of the wine industry and other role players.
The Pebbles Project was started in 2004 with the main emphasis on children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but after a lot of research and advice from local specialists, they widened their scope to support the holistic development of children.
Currently the Food for Thought Nutrition Programme provides breakfast, lunch and two snacks a day for 110 children within the Pebbles Project organisation and the goal within the next few months is to have 250 children benefitting from this programme.
Launched in late 2013 the Owethu Clinic currently offers health services to eight farms with a total of 792 children on the Hello Health Database. Established as a result of a major donation of clinic infrastructure from the Cipla Foundation and support from Villiera wine farm, the clinic offers a free service to the children, with adults paying a nominal monthly contribution, from neighbouring farms in the form of basic medical and dental services, family planning and wellness programmes.
For more information visit www.pebblesproject.co.za