Institute
The Transoranje Institute for Special Education (TOIBO) was founded on 13 March 1947. The aim was to start a school for Deaf children in the north of South Africa. The first school, Transoranje School for the Deaf, was established on 16 August 1954 in Pretoria. It soon became clear that the Institute would also have to establish schools for children with other disabilities.
Aim
Since the inception of the first school in 1954, the Institute has been supporting the schools financially and enabling thousands of children with disabilities to receive education of an exceptional quality. These children come from all over the country and many of them reside in the hostels at the schools. There are about 2 000 learners in the five schools.
The Institute functions independently of the five public schools and supports the schools financially by making quarterly contributions to the schools for assistance to the underprivileged child. This is an essential service since many of the parents cannot meet their financial obligations to the schools, which puts the schools’ budgets under immense strain.
Needs
Due to the increasing number of underprivileged children, the schools’ budgets cannot provide for additional costs. The additional fundraising projects of the individual schools also do not generate enough funds to subsidise these children. About 1 000 needy children benefit in one way or another from our contributions. The funds and donations in kind provided by the Institute are therefore of crucial importance.
Project Sunshine was initiated years ago when we realised that the number of underprivileged learners in the five schools increases every year. With this project, attention is given to the unique needs that each school experiences regarding needy learners. Funds can bring relief in respect of the following, but are not limited to, help with hostel fees, transport cost, a feeding scheme, clothing, toiletries, stationery, assistive devices, unforeseen expenses and many more. We need cash donations to address these needs. In-kind donations are also welcome.
