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50th Anniversary Music Festival

Our music festival back in September with Freshground, Valiant Swart and a host of other musical talent was a fabulous success and a wonderful celebration of our 50th anniversary!

If you missed it and would like a glimpse of the day, check out our newly edited video. And to those who were there, we hope you enjoy reliving some fabulous memories!

FEBRUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
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JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
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DECEBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
In our DECEMBER edition

FOR YOUR DIARY ...

Camphill’s next Market is on the 3rd February 2013. 

To ALL our faithful stallholders and visitors: THANK YOU for adding your special touch of magic and ‘lovely’ to each Market Sunday. 

We greatly appreciate YOU!

We wish you & your family many blessings over the Christmas period and into the New Year.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2014!

Christmas Spirit by Paul Moosberg

Put up a splash of Christmas spirit
Put in a dash of love
Stir up the sounds ‘till you can hear it
Sing out to those you love

Christmas, Christmas, you can fill me
Up with Christmas cheer
Christmas, Christmas, you fulfil my
Spirit every year

Toss up a mash of extra magic
Toss in a batch of love
Let up the lights with random logic
Look out for sleighs above

Get up a clash of Christmas colour
Get in a catch of love
Set up and show the shiny decor
Shout out with Christmas love

Listen, listen, you can see it
Spirit everywhere
Listen, listen, you can do it
Spread it out and share

Put up a splash of Christmas spirit
Put in a dash of love
Stir up the sounds ‘till you can hear it
Sing out to those you love

Christmas, Christmas, you can fill me
Up with Christmas cheer
Christmas, Christmas, you fulfil my
Spirit every year.














Group-Home Leaders' Gratitude

Rosemarie: I’m grateful to be here and I’m grateful for my guitar lessons. I’m making progress.

Lulama: I’m grateful to Camphill for giving me the opportunity to grow in all aspects of my life and for enabling and allowing me to run the Cosmetics Workshop... and for the belief they have in me as a Board member.

Antoinette: I’m grateful for the good and the bad times ‘cos they’ve helped me to grow...and I’m grateful to Camphill for this life.

Ann: I’m grateful to be alive...healthy and strong...and for my husband and family.

Lokardia: I’m grateful to be here...I’ve learnt a lot and the residents, they cheer me up.

Lee: I’m grateful for the life we have in Camphill...I’m grateful that my residents are happy and content. I’m grateful for all the challenges, although difficult, I was able to face and overcome.

Esme: I’m grateful for the privilege to live and work with wonderful people in Camphill – this is my home, my life.

Dorothy: I’m grateful for my health and to be able to assist those in need,
especially our residents.

Uta: I’m grateful for the change, grateful for the opportunity to move ahead.

Anne (young volunteer): I’m grateful that here humanness comes first and
I’m grateful for all the responsibilities and opportunities.

Ninja: I’m grateful to be able to live here, and that my children can grow up in such a special place.

Ryoko: I am grateful, with my family; to the people I have met here who have shared their life-experiences with us and who have guided us throughout the year.
Lulama and Ninja (on the left).. two of Camphill's Group-Home leaders

Current Job Opportunities at Camphill Village:

We are looking for people interested in becoming house parents in our group-homes. This will involve living and working in Camphill in a co-operative way. We will consider applicants who can offer a wide range of skills and who are looking to make a rewarding lifestyle change.

Please email CVs to: hr@camphill.org.za.

As the Year Gallops to an End.... by James Sleigh, MD

As the year gallops to an end, it is good to take a moment to reflect on the year 2013.

It has been year of arrivals, departures, births and deaths. It has been a year filled with much change. There have been many changes to our team since this time last year. Alice is running the finance team, Neill is running the farm, Hennie the dairy. We have a new social worker, Peter, who is assisting us with projects we have for many years been wishing to develop. Anne and Errol are running Aloe, Dorothy running Grange, and Antoinette has joined as a new house leader, and our new volunteers for the year are settling in. Our team, continue to meet the daily challenges of running an organisation like this, and we are grateful for all the consistent input.

If I were to try to sum up the year in a word, I would say it has been a year of “maturing”.

Our enterprises have developed greater structure and more systems are in place. Our brand has become standardised and upgraded with our new labels and is becoming more and more recognised. We have a nice new group of residents, who have brought a new energy to the place.

When we look back on a year, the day to day stresses and crises are quickly forgotten and the things that stand out and are remembered are the cultural events, the times the community celebrated together. We realise how important a cultural calendar is for the community.

Next year we, as an organisation, turn 50. There are not many organisations that have been around for this length of time, and we can be deeply grateful to all the people who have been involved in Camphill for the past 49 years, and for all their contributions, together which have created Camphill as it is today.

We wish all our families and friends a safe and peaceful end of the year and festivities and a chance to re-stock energy for 2014.
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Camphill's Talent Show

Busy Camphillers ... a pictorial

Our 'Camphillers' have been very busy in 2013 with loads of activities; here is just   a few of them:
...Camphillers went camping at Beaverlac...what a wonderful house community experience...spending time together in a whole new way.
...Camphillers walked up a hill on Ascension Day and picnicked together while looking over the valley...
...and then they joined Cape Town and walked in the Big Walk...well done guys!!

THANK YOU

A BiiiG THANK YOU to all our donors for supporting Camphill Village West Coast in this ‘almost-past’ year of 2013. YOUR support, whether financial, in-kind  donations, donations to our Charity Shop or purchasing Camphill products from various health shops in Cape Town, has helped the hard working grouphome leaders, enterprise managers, staff and young volunteers working together; to play their part in continuing to create a safe, financially stable, supportive and caring home and work environment for our residents. Camphill is their home and we are committed to providing them with the best possible care each day so that they can reach their full potential as individuals.

We wish YOU our donors, supporters and friends a blessed and joyous festive
                       season and wish you a safe journey into 2014!

NOVEBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
In our NOVEMBER edition

Camphill Christmas Market  ~  1st DECEMBER 2013 - 10am - 2pm

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Come and join us for the last Camphill Market of 2013!

We have gift ideas galore...get it all from Camphill this Christmas.

The cosmetics workshop has lovely gift packs, our dairy have made organic camembert, perfect for a cheese lover. Our bakery will make a special Christmas treat and we have yummy fresh food in our cafe. The bakery will have the freshest bread on offer and the garden team will be up early to pick organic veggies, there will will be farm eggs, yoghurt, labaneh and deeelicious sweet-milk cheese.

There are lovely treasures in our quirky charity shop, the proceeds of which go directly to the financial support of a resident. Stallholders will be selling a wide variety of goods such as tasty samoosas, poppy popcorn, preserves, interesting books, beautiful hand crafted jewelery, olives & oilive oil from Kasteel Kat in the Riebeeck Valley and much much more.

Our tractor-trailer will take visitors around the the farm from 10am.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Camphill Village Organic Camembert

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Our hard working Dairy team have been coming up with all sorts of ideas for deeelicious cheeses and the first on the list is complete and ready for visitors to purchase at our Market this coming Sunday 1st December.

We are proud to launch our own Organic Camembert which will be available in the Village Store and we can highly recommend this delicious cheese.

Come and get a supply as stocks are limited.

Chamomile ... calming & soothing

Camphill’s Cosmetic and Herb Workshop has been using Chamomile in their products for many years. They produce Chamomile Baby Oil, Chamomile Soap; Chamomile & Almond face creams and a lovely Chamomile Tea. All these products are produced by hand which adds an extra bit of ‘special’. As our products are not mass produced customers can be assured of a quality product which will become a welcome part of their everyday beauty- and health -care routine.

Chamomile is a wonderful herb which may help with the following:
  • As a tea, be used for lumbago, rheumatic problems and rashes.
  • As a vapour, be used to alleviate cold symptoms or asthma.
  • Relieve restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.
  • Aid in digestion when taken as a tea after meals.
  • Relieve morning sickness during pregnancy.
  • Speed healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.
  • Treat gastritis and ulcerative colitis.
  • Reduce inflammation and facilitate bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative.
  • Be used as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations.
  • Promote general relaxation, relieve stress and control insomnia. Chamomile's mildly sedating and muscle-relaxing effects may help those who suffer from insomnia to fall asleep more easily.
  • Soothe skin rashes (including eczema), minor burns and sunburn. Used as a lotion or added in oil form to a cool bath, chamomile may ease the itching of eczema and other rashes and reduces skin inflammation. It may also speed healing and prevent bacterial infection.
  • Treat eye inflammation and infection. Cooled chamomile tea can be used in a compress to help soothe tired, irritated eyes and it may even help treat conjunctivitis.
  • Heal mouth sores and prevent gum disease. A chamomile mouthwash may help soothe mouth inflammations and keep gums healthy.

It's a Hooo Hooot ... Baby Owls in our trees...

Current Job Opportunities at Camphill Village

We are looking for people interested in becoming house parents in our grouphomes. This will involve living and working in Camphill in a co-operative way. We will consider applicants who can offer a wide range of skills and who are looking to make a rewarding lifestyle change. 

Please email CVs to: hr@camphill.org.za.

Striking the Right Chord – Guitar Lessons

PictureAlistaire teaching Jannien those important chords...
Guitar lessons for residents are presented by Alistair Adams. The objective of guitar lessons is to learn the basic chords and their related minors. Another objective is mastering the “arpeggio” which is the main technique for Classical guitar. To be able to do this one must “finger” the chords properly with the left hand whilst plucking the correct strings with the appropriate right hand finger tips or nails. For playing popular music the pupils are taught to build up a “chord vocabulary”. One of the difficulties that need to be overcome is memorizing the chords. The pupils are taught to play songs and melodies as soon as they have learnt a number of chords.

The sense of pure enjoyment, pride and achievement the resident experiences is invaluable to them. Underlying benefits are enhanced brain function, improved concentration and memory and eye to hand co-ordination. It is also a medium for personal expression of the spirit and musicality from within. Practicing and learning songs is fun. Learning the guitar is a large task to undertake. It may come quicker to some than others, but it is very difficult, especially at first. Pushing through this initial stage of learning notes, chords, building flexibility in your hands, and mastering the coordination it takes to play can be very unnerving. But pushing through all of this can teach a very valuable lesson, to never give up.

A Fiery Subject...

PictureGregory demonstrates crawling out of a room filled with smoke while Residents listen intently
With the onset of summer, we asked the Atlantis fire department give a talk about fire safety, to our residents. They demonstrated how to fight fires and gave tips for keeping safe in the event of a fire.

OCTOBER 2013 NEWSLETTER
In our OCTOBER edition

Camphill Country Market  ~ 3rd NOVEMBER 2013 10am - 2pm

Welcome to our charming country market, relax under the trees...enjoy a healthy delicious home cooked meal or a slice of decadent home baked cake.

Bring along your shopping bag and fill it with dew fresh veggies, wholesome breads, rusks and granola, tasty yogurt and cheese, all products hand made right here in Camphill Village. Pop in to our quirky little Charity Shop which is chock full of interesting finds and lovely 'new' clothes.

Visit our Cosmetics workshop where the heavenly smells of essential oils will envelop you. Chat to our Cosmetics team who will be on hand to assist you with the gorgeous range of hand made soaps, herbal & essential oil deodorants, face creams and delicious massage oils.

We will have stall holders selling other products such as hand made jewelry, candles, biltong and popcorn, olives and olive oil from Kasteel Kat from the Riebeek Valley and much much more. Our Craft workshop will be selling a variety of interesting hand crafted products such as fabric bags, cushion covers and other 'crafty' items.

Come out and enjoy the day with the lovely people at Camphill Village West Coast....

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

The Donkey

PictureCamphill's darling donkeys
by Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

From the Pen of the MD, James Sleigh

Firstly, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all at Camphill, and the many families and friends for the support on so many different levels around the death of my father. It felt incredibly special that he was honoured in the way that he was by all.

Camphill, as an organisation is in a constant state of growth and change. We have some new developments which I would like to share:
  • We have three new residents, and three more young ones joining us in December. We have started a day-care programme, for people with intellectual disability in Atlantis and the neighbouring area, who come in on a daily basis and are involved in a learning programme. 
  • There have been some developments on the farm: A retired dairy farmer has come in and assisted us with managing pastures, working through our herd and breeding programme. We have replaced our bull to get some good new Jersey stock into our herd, and we look forward to our new generation of cows. Our new field of vegetables are ripening and through this, we have doubled our vegetable output.
  • Hennie is a new dairy assistant working with Ntsikelelo at the dairy. He has cheese making experience and is assisting Ntsikelelo refining the cheese and products, and also teaching new skills to all in the dairy. At our December monthly market, you will be able to sample our first batch of organic Camembert cheese, and some boutique cheddars.

While we are pleased about our new developments, the greatest celebration is that each day we provide a home, work and dignity to 78 people who could be without these, and we need to remember and acknowledge the effort of all who keep this going each day, namely the house leaders who give a home to residents and make them feel special and at home, the enterprise leaders who have the hard job of balancing making consistent products and an income, while also creating a work environment for people to learn, grow and reach their potential. And to keep running an organisation, we need all the supporting roles. Our greatest assets are all the people who tirelessly keep the place running, and have done so for the last 49 years.

Remembering Julian Sleigh by Camphill Village West Coast Community & Staff

Renate: Julian was very sociable, very outgoing, very loving and very sensitive. And I loved him.
Gregory: I've known him as a very good man – through him I found peace.
Michael S: ...quite a spiritual man – his wife continues his legacy.
Sidney: ...the best guy, a nice man. I liked him very much.
Barbara: I remember the mealtimes and the church services we shared together.
Esme: A loving, kind-hearted person always determined to obtain his goals.
Catherine: I was tremendously sad when he died.
Michael B: I liked him, I know him for a long time.
Georgina: He was an excellent Priest in the Christian Community.
Sigi: A great person – always had time for one...a hard worker...
Mignon: My mom told me about his wonderful sense of humour.
Jenny S: He used to do the Church. I liked him.
Sian: He had a lovely sense of humour – he told me "the sun shines out of your head". He was very knowledgeable and wise and he had a lot of love for his family.
Maria: A wonderful man – we spoke Italian together – he trained me as a server in the Church.
Rosalind: A very good person and he used to be the Priest here.
Barbara T: He was the one who got me to come to the Village on the 3rd November 1965.
Jenny J: He was my counsellor – he was a very good person to me – he helped me through a lot...
Sandra: I remember Julian Sleigh...
Rosheen: I remember digging trenches all over Camphill with Julian in the early times.
Hayley: I remember Julian from Hermanus times ... a lovely person.
Lee*H: He was always encouraging and understood the difficult work of fundraising. I enjoyed his stories of the early days of Camphill and loved the beautiful relationship between Julian and Renate.
Annie: He was a good friend to me and he trained me to be a server in the Church.
Lokadia: He was a kind man.
Antolien: Julian Sleigh is Renate's husband. He's in Heaven now.
Zandile: He was a good person – he reminded me of my father.
Maureen: He was a very caring, loving man. He taught me to serve in the Church. He and Renate helped me to settle here. He helped with many things in the Village.
Anke: He had a good personality and a kind heart.
Monte: He was a great person, very much so.
Karin: I liked him – he always made a person feel as if he was interested in them and in what they had to say.
Alet: I think he was a fantastic man. I wish that I had had more time to get to know him better.
Shirley: I worked with him on the pathways a long time ago....he was a very nice man.
Asako: A very gentle person, he told me many stories when I visited Rock Rose. I'm saddened by his passing, but happy to have been in Camphill as such a precious time.
Kia: He always seemed interested in what you had to say – non-judgemental – he demanded nothing from you besides what you were able to give.
Zuko: A very spiritual man – a pioneer...
Ninja: He was interested in people and what they had to say and he had an interesting sense of humour. He enjoyed going to the movies or watching DVD's one of his favourites being "Les Miserables".
Paul: He seemed like a very nice friendly person. He was James's father; he did a lot here in Camphill.
Lee A: He was always appreciative, acknowledging and warm. He listened. He has left an indelible mark. I am honoured to have known him.
Derek P: We were good friends in Hermanus and then we both ended up here.
Gillian: He was a very friendly person – always listened, always made time for you – he was a very special friend. Nobody can replace him. He was genuine.
Marion: He was a good Priest.
Linda: He was the best, the best man...he was lovely. He was my hero.
Nosiseko: I remember his stories...we had nice conversations and he would tease me a lot.
Ann: He had a lovely sense of humour – I loved his stories and I found him to be a very distinguished man.
Shirley T: He always greeted me when I went to the Chapel.
Alistaire: He was always warm and welcoming and he always made time for one, to listen and to chat.
Joseph: He was a nice person, respectful.
Glynnis: He's been here since 1965 – he gave a lot of talks. I liked him very much.
Sally: He was a good person, happy.
Max: He was a wonderful person, an open book, easy to talk to. Renate mirrors many of his characteristics.
Lizzie: I enjoyed my chats with him when I came for my trial visits. He was a nice man.
Damian: He was the best Priest Camphill West Coast had – loving, caring with a good sense of humour.
Tarryn: A bright, brilliant person.
Ursula: He was a very nice person.
Sylvie: He was a quiet person – he always waved to me when I walked passed.
Christoph: He was a true cosmopolitan and that includes the Priesthood.
Freddy: A very nice man. I know he used to be the Priest here and he started the Village.
Wim: A good person...I remember all the interesting stories he told of his travels.
Hannah: In the early days he was always pulling out the Port Jacksons to make space for a new house or a garden. He was very friendly and helpful and always had time to listen to you.
Ryoko: During the preparations for Yuga's Christening he introduced us to the Christian Community, which is now a big part of our lives and for which we are very grateful to him. He always said "thank you for being here". It was a privilege to know him, and I will never forget him.
Uli & Peter: He was cosmopolitan – he was open hearted to everyone - a great friend to all, and he showed an interest in everything.
Cedric: I think of him often – he was a nice man.
Charisse: I enjoyed the pleasure of his company and his extreme intelligence, and also his gentleness. Had he not founded Camphill Alpha all those years ago, I would not have had the opportunity of this most personal life-changing experience.
Derek W: He was a fine man...a very fine man!
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Julian Sleigh: 6th October 1927- 2nd October 2013
See also the articles in the Wind Call and  the Excerpts from the Eulogy in the Johannesburg news.

Current Job Opportunities at Camphill Village

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We are looking for people interested in becoming house parents in our grouphomes. This will involve living and working in Camphill in a co-operative way. We will consider applicants who can offer a wide range of skills and who are looking to make a rewarding lifestyle change.

Please email CVs to: hr@camphill.org.za

Quirky Treasures

See below pics of the lovely items we have in our Charity Shop.....and that's not all....there's lots more!!

We have lovely clothing, handbags, shoes, ceramics and other interesting items. 

Bring along your shopping bag and fill it with purchases from our Charity Shop, putting a smile on your face and supporting a resident at the same time....its a 'feel good' experience not to be missed!

Proceeds from all sales go directly to the financial support of an indigent resident. Tons of thanks to our wonderful donors who support our Charity Shop....
....remember there's always room for more :-)