Nurturing special needs and hearts through nature, in community
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We live with intellectual challenges but we have skills. Our hearts are kind, our intentions good. We are simply looking for tolerance and equal opportunity in a world of prejudice, a chance to prove that we too, have purpose and can give back to our communities.
Creating purpose and dignity through jobs in nature
Life for mentally challenged, but high-functioning young adults in South Africa is often devoid of opportunity. As children, their lives are often sheltered and enriched by skilled and empathetic teachers and a peer group of similarly handicapped friends. But this comes to an abrupt end when they turn 18. Suddenly, life beyond school is vacuous. In a country fraught with labour issues generally, there are few employers with capacity to take on individuals with special needs who require empathy, supervision and care. How then do these young adults build a life of purpose?
Based within the natural splendour of South Africa’s Garden Route, under the care of an experienced supervisor, and in close collaboration with the many conservation agencies operating in the Garden Route, Natural Purpose offers employment to mentally handicapped young adults to undertake fit-for-purpose conservation activities that are safe and achievable. For example beach clean-ups, creating vegetable gardens, marine species rescue or beautifying degraded areas.
How we work
1
Serving nature
Our manager liaises with the myriad conservation agencies in the region to identify fit-for-purpose tasks, building a timetable rich in diverse outdoor activities and other suitable and stimulating extramurals.
2
Serving communities
Individuals who join Natural Purpose become paid employees. Our manager collects them each workday and transports them to their place of work at a pre-arranged location along the Garden Route.
3
Serving families
Employees' safety and conduct are overseen at all times during the fulfilment of the day's nature-based activities. Our manager then returns employees to their homes at the end of the purposeful and enriching workday.
Our objectives
Creating purpose and inclusion through nature
01
Creating jobs and income
Our primary objective is simply to create jobs for intellectually challenged adults who would not otherwise be able to find work in the mainstream job market. We pay our employees a stipend to compensate them for their efforts and support their pathway towards financial independence.
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Community involvement
Getting involved in local community initiatives and supporting these through volunteering our time and efforts, is a mechanism to integrate into society in a meaningful way. Giving back in different ways across all sectors and collaborating with others creates a sense of inclusivity and purpose.
02
Caring through conservation
Supporting conservation is at the centre of what we do. We believe working in nature and giving back to nature is of paramount importance. Nature heals and restores, it offers a platform for learning, it inspires enjoyment and fulfilment, and is a hugely stimulating work environment.
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Advancing self fulfilment
Above all else, Natural Purpose aims to create a sense of purpose and self worth for our employees. Having work to do, a routine to follow, income to earn, activities to engage in and a place to belong, goes all the way towards building confidence and a satisfying existence.
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Empowering an often marginalised part of society to live fulfilling lives whilst giving back to society through bona fide conservation outcomes.
