(February 2008) This month, the Social Responsibility Committee of Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd. delivered boxes, filled with an exciting range of items, to a special institution near its offices and main cylinder facility in Johannesburg.

Special needs children are sometimes abandoned due to their impoverished families' inability to care for them. Families with special needs children used to have to confine them to small shacks in the squatters' camp while the adults seek work and wages. Now they have Tumelo Home to help care for these children and keep them safe.

The Tumelo (which is a Tswana word, meaning "faith") Home for Disabled Children, situated in an area called Ivory Park, was started in 2001 by Dr. G. M. Thindisa, who experienced enormous problems trying to obtain disability grants from the government for children who suffer from physical and mental disabilities. All too often, these children are abandoned by their families who, being poor and unemployed, cannot afford to care for their special needs.

The home currently has five permanent caregivers and seven volunteers who care for 40 children with physical or mental needs, ranging from mild to quite severe. Often, such children are kept locked up in small shacks during the day, but Tumelo provides the children with two daily meals and continual care. However, the children were lacking in clothing and equipment with which to draw, paint or express themselves in ways that can provide enormous therapeutic help.

Michael and Cate Ronan, grandchildren of Joe Kaminski [retired corporate executive vice president of Air Products and previous Chairman of Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd], had visited South Africa some years ago with Joe and other family members. Michael and Cate were moved by the plight of the children in the country, and they decided to do something to help. After sending flyers out to friends, neighbors, family and organizations, the Ronans collected five large boxes of toys, clothing, shoes, and stationery/arts and crafts items, and sent them to Air Products South Africa. The Social Responsibility Committee identified the Tumelo Home and delivered the gifts.

Mrs. Thindisa, wife of Dr. Thindisa and manager of the Home, welcomed the gift, expressing appreciation for joy the boxes will bring to so many children. When the staff opened the boxes, there were many whoops of amazement and surprise at the toys and other items that would be used by the children. Delight was expressed with the clothes as well, and these were instantly put on some of the children, replacing their tattered shirts and pants. Sneakers were immediately put on feet that had never known the joy of owning a pair of shoes before.

Mrs. Thindisa, wife of founder and manager of Tumelo Home.