Banking Details

Name	Down Syndrome Association Gauteng
Bank	ABSA
Branch	Eastgate
Cheque Account No	4081259903
Branch Code	632005

Down Syndrome Association Gauteng

NPO NO 001-339 PBO NO 18/11/13/1575

Physical Address

2nd Floor, Children's Memorial Institute Building (Off Empire Rd) Gate 13 - Joubert Street Extension Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Postal Address

Down Syndrome Association Gauteng PO Box 28309 Kensington, 2101 Johannesburg

Contact Persons

Management Director: Marlene Boucher Tel: 011 615-4180 E-mail: marlene.dsag@megaweb.co.za
Fund-Raising & Development Director: Brandon Pretorius Tel: 011 615-4180 Cell: 083 945-3553 E-Mail: brandon.dsag@vodamail.co.za

Steering Board Members

Chairperson: Martin Koen
Vice-Chairperson: Ezekiel Langa
Treasurer: Valerie Louw
Secretary: Lorraine Wardrope

Valued Donor / Sponsor

At Down Syndrome Association Gauteng, we know how even the smallest contribution can make the biggest difference in someone’s life.  Daily we witness the miracles made possible by our donors, staff, and the parents and communities of all our children born with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.  But above all, we witness and celebrate the miracles achieved everyday by our children. We take this opportunity to introduce our organisation to you and invite you, to join us by making ‘Love-Count’.

An Introduction to Down Syndrome Association Gauteng (DSA Gauteng)

DSA Gauteng is a non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development and was established in 1986.   We are an organisation that focuses on the best practices within the field of intellectual disability. Our mission is to bring our services in line with world trends in the field and to become leaders in some areas.

We are committed in findings ways, to raise awareness and understanding of the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of chromosome 21 which causes the genetic condition Down syndrome, which affects 1 in 800 births worldwide, and to promote the inherent rights of persons with Down syndrome to enjoy full and dignified lives and be active participants in their communities and society.

We respect all religions and cultures, and we work in communities where our mission can contribute to development. We work in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we promote these rights in South Africa.

Facts about persons born with Down syndrome:-

 Children born with Down syndrome can and do grow up to live long, happy and fulfilled lives.  They are like any other child, only differently–abled!  Provided they are allowed the opportunities, they will develop independence, self-advocacy and the freedom, to make their own choices.  They can thrive well into their fifties and beyond, facing many of the challenges we all encounter.  Many children are now being integrated successfully into mainstream schools.  Many individuals with Down syndrome follow high profile careers in the world of acting, modeling, music, sport, computer technology and motivational speaking.

To give some examples of the work DSA Gauteng has provided over the past 30 years:-

To encourage the opportunity of the child to develop to his full potential and never let Down syndrome be the ceiling for the child’s achievements. Although there might be delays in the learning process, to always aim high! Support to access medical and therapy treatments, essential to their well being and future development; support to access schools of specialised and inclusive education and when they are older, access to self advocacy, life and job skills training and meaningful employment opportunities; Early Intervention support; counseling and self help coping skills to parents in their home environments and communities. Innocent and vulnerable persons with Down syndrome and other intellectual or physical disabilities, who suffer as a result of abuse and neglect, are also assisted to access safe havens, where they are able to receive the support and help they desperately need.

Conclusion

By partnering and investing in Down Syndrome Association Gauteng support programmes and activities through our ‘Love-Counts’ campaign, companies and individuals will make a significant impact by providing vital support to assist us at DSA Gauteng, to secure a better, more inclusive and socially acceptable future for persons born with Down syndrome and other intellectual and physical disabilities. Our vision to build a Centre of Excellence will also be achieved, allowing for centralised support programmes and activities to take place under one roof.

“While there is much to be proud of in the more developed countries worldwide in the services provided for people and families with Down syndrome, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in many developing countries such as South Africa. In South Africa, many individuals with Down syndrome are being discriminated against on a daily basis and by raising awareness around the condition and changing peoples’ perceptions about Down syndrome, people with Down syndrome and their families lives are significantly changed for the better.”

The benefits to you as a donor or sponsor are as follows:-

DSA Gauteng qualifies as an Exempted Micro Enterprise and has a B-BBEE status of a Level 4 contributor. We are able to issue organisations and individuals with a Section 18 (A) donation receipt to claim a SARS tax rebate.

As part of our ‘Love-Counts’ campaign, DSA Gauteng has created exclusive platforms, which allow potential corporate organisations and individuals the opportunity, to select their own level of participation.

In partnering with the vision of DSA Gauteng for the construction/development and completion of an Excellence Centre for the long term support, well being and development of children, youth & adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and physical disabilities, organisations and individuals will receive the due exclusive benefits in line, with the platform of their choice. All platforms working to the mutual benefit of donors and sponsors who by their valued support, have contributed to build a beneficial community where, ‘Love-Counts’ and has made a difference in the lives of those, most left out.

As a donor, a social media link of your choice will be added to the ‘Love-Counts’ heart for 30 Days and a notification will also be placed on the donors social media site i.e. Facebook/Linkedin/Twitter etc; as acknowledgement and thanks for their support provided to DSA Gauteng.

Donors added to the ‘Love-Counts’ heart will also be linked to one another via notifications and alerts, in so doing, with the benefit of being able to build a community where ‘Love-Counts’.