Local Artist shares some beauty at Bloom

Centre for Children with Special Needs

Local artist Jacqui Scheffer loves sharing her artistic talent, last month she chose Bloom Centre as a recipient of her artistic genius. Jacqui chose one of the office walls on which to paint a mural to brighten the school grounds.

"It's very strange how synchronicity works in the world. You are led by people to places and fall in love. Being recently divorced and finding my feet, I was forced into regaining my own identity and to start "serious' grafting to make an income. Eben Combrinck from SAPumptrax, who has been involved in riding skills development of the youth, designing and building pumptracks in safe controlled environments for kids, Introduced me to Eden Village."

Bloom Centre is a creative space of hope and support where children feel loved, safe and accepted for who they are.They teach and care for children who have a variety of diagnosis; Down syndrome, Autism, Low IQ, non-specified learning difficulties and children whoare not coping in mainstream schools.

"What an amazing space." Recalls Jacqui, "I was doing marketing for my business by painting a free mural at Village kids and in return getting advertising space. When I found my wall it was immediately obvious that this was no ordinary job, this was a labour of love. I have never felt such unconditional love. This is the truest form of being alive. It humbled me and shook me to the core. Pure love. Most people would think how could I say that. They are at a disadvantage. It's like feeling for the first time, tasting for the first time. It was simplicity without judgement. There was no escape, I totally fell in love with every little soul there."

"I specialise in photography, photography classes, graphic design, creative art lessons and basically anything that stimulates creative self-expression for kids to grow and develop outside of the conventional school environment. These activities are ideal for a different kind of birthday party activity, where kids can get involved and create and express themselves through creative arts," explained Jacqui.

"The opportunity to add a wall mural at Bloom was an exciting project as it has created wonderful opportunities around the awareness of what this amazing special needs school is all about."

The founder of Bloom, Nicola Stirton, is a qualified occupational therapist and it was in 2011 that she met Eric and Carolyn Hardy, when she started treating their daughter Bella Rose at a local school.

At birth Bella was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. After working in Ballito for over a year Nicola realised that there was a great need for a specific school for children with special needs.

In January 2014, Bloom opened their doors in Ballito. This year, Bloom welcomed their sixteenth child. They have recently added a facility for a third class, thus creating space for further growth and development.

"We are here on this earth to love. LOVE. How profoundly beautiful And that is my inspiration to see, feel, taste and love for the first time, every time."

Jacqui invites any contributions or sponsors who would be interested in taking this exciting activity to the rural areas around KwaDakuza.

Please contact for more information on how you can give back or get involved contact Jacqui on 082 521 6873 or email: ballitophotography@gmail.com