“Where We Are Able — where abilities are celebrated every day.”
“IF THEY CAN’T LEARN THE WAY WE TEACH, WE TEACH THE WAY THEY LEARN."
Together, we are able.
Be Part of the Change
By choosing to give a set amount each month, you’re making an ongoing commitment to a brighter future for our young adults. Whether it’s R100 or R1 000, your monthly gift will make a lasting difference.
Transparency You Can Trust
Our journey begins with parents who know this path firsthand. VSN Centre was founded by families of young adults on the autism spectrum — parents who experienced the challenges, hopes, and dreams that come with raising a child with special needs.
This personal connection shapes everything we do — from the way we greet each person in the morning to how we celebrate every achievement, big or small.
We understand the unique needs, abilities, and challenges of each young adult who walks through our doors. That’s why we provide a nurturing environment where individuals can:
Learn new skills
Grow their independence
Feel part of a supportive community
Here, everyone is truly seen and celebrated.
Through art, music, and crafts, learners explore their creativity while building confidence and self-expression.
From cooking to personal care, we focus on practical skills that help young adults grow in independence.
Group activities encourage communication, teamwork, and friendships that extend beyond the Centre.
Every achievement — big or small — is celebrated, helping each young adult recognize their strengths and potential.
Your monthly gift ensures uninterrupted care, structured activities, and skill development — giving our young adults consistency they can rely on.
Our staff are the heart of VSNC. Monthly support helps us cover salaries, so our passionate team can continue their vital work.
Reliable funding means we can expand programmes, improve facilities, and create more opportunities for every individual who walks through our doors.
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We value the partnerships we’ve built with special needs schools, parents, caregivers, and the broader community. Together, we create a network of support that amplifies the impact of our work.
We empower our special needs young adults to unlock their full potential through skill development, meaningful daily activities, and a supportive environment. We celebrate their achievements, both big and small, and believe that progress is a journey worth celebrating.
At Vasco Special Needs Centre, volunteers are the heartbeat of our community. By giving your time, skills, and energy, you help create a safe, joyful, and empowering space for young adults with special needs.
Whether you can lend a hand with activities, share your talents, or simply bring a smile, your presence matters. Together, we can celebrate abilities and build brighter futures.
Join us today — fill out our Volunteer Application Form and become part of the VSNC family!
Your donation helps create a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for young adults with special needs. Every contribution supports programs, skill development activities, and community initiatives that help our participants grow, build confidence, and thrive.
Vasco Special Needs Centre is a registered non-profit organisation. Donors are encouraged to consult their own professional advisers regarding tax deductions and financial considerations.
Yes! All donations are processed through trusted payment providers with encrypted transactions. We do not store your banking or credit card information on our servers.
While all donations are used in line with our mission, you are welcome to indicate if you would like your contribution to support specific programs or activities. We carefully review each gift to ensure it makes the greatest impact.
Due to the charitable nature of donations, all contributions are voluntary and non-refundable once processed.
Yes! You can choose to make a one-time or recurring monthly donation to provide ongoing support for our programs and participants.
Yes. Donation receipts are available upon request and can be used for record-keeping or tax purposes.
Absolutely! You can make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one, and we can provide a personalized acknowledgment if desired.
For questions or support regarding your donation, please contact us at: on our contact page
Liam’s journey is one of growth, discovery and resilience. He is a talented and sees the world through a beautifully unique way. As an autistic young man, he expresses himself through drawing – one of his greatest passions.
He began his education in a mainstream school, where he worked hard to keep up with the routines and expectations of a typical classroom environment. Early on, it became clear to both of us and his teacher that he experienced the world a little differently. He had unique ways of learning, communicating and interacting with those around him.
Following observations and concerns raised during his time in mainstream school, he was assessed by professionals, including a psychologist. After a thorough evaluation, he was diagnosed with Autism. While the diagnosis brought clarity, it also marked the beginning of a new path – one filled with greater understanding, support and opportunity. He then moved to an Autism Special School (Vera School for Autism) where the approach was tailored to his needs. The environment allowed him to flourish at his own pace, with educators and therapists who understood and nurtured his strengths.
After completing his time at the Vera School, he transitioned to a Vasco Special Needs Centre. The Centre continues to provide support, focus on life skills, independence and personal development. It’s a place where he is encouraged to be himself, and where he is individuality is respected and nurtured.
His story is not only about challenges -it’s also about the many small victories along the way. His journey is ongoing, and we are proud of the person he is becoming: someone with his own rhythm, his strengths, and a heart that continues to grow.
Hannah was born on 12 March 2003 at Vincent Pallotti Hospital. Caesarean birth. Hannah was very active as a baby. She didn’t crawl much and then started walking. We only noticed there was a problem when she was just pointing at things she wanted. Grommets were put. After her hearing was sorted, we enrolled her in at a creche and discovered that there were some learning problems. We took her to a psychologist, and the diagnosis was made that she is at the level of a 2-year-old instead of her age which was 5 at the time. She was diagnosed as having (Global Development Delay). We then applied to Filia School which is a school who caters for severe intellectual disabled children. She attended school till the age of 18.
Hannah is a very friendly and trustworthy child and loves people, likes to dance even now after everything that she has experienced. The seizures started at the age of 16. She received medication for the seizures.
We realized that she needed a stimulating environment with young people she can relate to after completing her time at Filia school. The Psychologist at Filia School recommended Vasco Special Needs Centre, which meets her needs.
During this time, we were in and out at Neurologist rooms trying to find a solution. In November 2024, Hannah had an extreme round of seizures. She was rushed to the emergency room and was in ICU for 5 weeks. She recovered and the Schoeman family informed us about another Neurologist at Constantia Mediclinic. There she received the necessary care and had an operation which helped with the seizures. To date she has had no more seizures and is still attending Vasco Special Needs Centre. Since enrolling her at the Centre, we have seen a remarkable transformation in her. She has bloomed—emotionally, socially, and academically—in ways we never thought possible.
Ender was born in 2006 in Antalya, Turkey, to Zuhre and Carl Parry. He developed typically until the family moved to Cape Town in 2007, when his cognitive abilities began to decline.
In 2008, Ender was diagnosed with autism, and two years later he joined the Vera School. He thrived there and remained a happy student until 2022, when he transitioned to Vasco Special Needs Centre. Ender enjoys being busy at Vasco, especially spending time with the facilitators and his friends.
His early teenage years were challenging, but with support and perseverance, Ender has grown into a kind, affectionate, and likeable young man.
Over the years, his progress has been steady, often happening in small but meaningful steps. Each breakthrough, no matter how small, has been a reminder that patience and hard work pay off. We remain hopeful and optimistic about his future.
Kauthar was born on 1 February 2006 at 36 weeks via an emergency C-section, weighing 2.2 kg. From the start, there were challenges. She struggled to latch, and at just 5 days old, we discovered she had a tongue-tie. Even after it was corrected, feeding remained difficult.
At 2 and 3 years old, she underwent hernia repairs. For a while, things were calm, and she was a happy baby, but I noticed she disliked tummy time. I raised my concerns with her paediatrician but felt unsatisfied with the answers. We eventually changed paediatricians five times before finding one who truly helped us.
One evening, without any warning signs, Kauthar fainted. We rushed her to hospital where doctors found a partial blockage. During a thorough examination, they also discovered hip dysplasia. Surgery was scheduled when she was 11 months old but delayed due to chickenpox. Just two days after her first birthday, she underwent a five-hour operation while we anxiously waited outside theatre.
Over the next five years, hospital visits became routine due to her weak immune system. She suffered pneumonia and broke both arms from falls. She also required monitoring for spinal concerns.
When school began, she started at Hydepark College, where challenges became more apparent. To be closer to her doctors, we moved to Goodwood, and she attended Hidayatul Islam. The school tried to help us place her in a special needs school, but it became a three-year struggle involving multiple transfers, government school placement, and psychological assessments. Eventually, she was diagnosed on the autism spectrum with selective mutism. Thankfully, she was finally enrolled at Chere Botha School.
During these years, she faced dental issues and changes to her facial structure. At Tygerberg Dentistry, doctors noted possible underdevelopment on one side of her jaw, and she remains on a waiting list for further care.
Then came COVID-19. While homeschooling my three children, Kauthar thrived and amazed us with the amount of work she completed. After lockdown, taxi violence on the school route added safety concerns. Since she was now 16, and after seeing her progress at home, we decided to continue homeschooling.
Chere Botha’s support was invaluable, and after a positive exit interview, we found a way forward. This led us to Vasco Special Needs Centre, where Kauthar began attending once a week. As a stay-at-home mom, I wanted her to learn new skills and socialise outside her immediate family.
Today, Kauthar is a confident, feisty, yet sensitive young woman—loving, nurturing, and full of personality. She enjoys archery and has even performed in a farm show for beginner archers. She loves books, colouring, and karaoke, but her greatest joy comes from her faith, which has always been her source of strength.
