MC need a future at Woodside Campaign

Hi, my name is MC. 

Yes, I may look perfectly normal. But you see, I have a hidden disability. I am a "non-verbal," severely autistic spectrum, 10-year-old boy. 

My mommy had a really tough time finding me the perfect place where I would be treated with love, respect, and dignity.  Woodside Sanctuary, Johannesburg, South Arica, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. 

Since 2021, Woodside has been my new home. It is here where I have made more progress than you can begin to imagine in the past 2 years, than in 7 years. 

I have made friends, started talking and verbalizing some words, and I can even say some Zulu words, too. 

I am now fully potty trained, and I receive therapy and stimulation on a daily basis.

I have even learned that I love different foods, other than just nuggets and chips, which i pretty much ate only for years. 

At Woodside, all my special needs are met, I see a psychiatrist on a regular basis (to make sure my meds are right), and I receive occupational therapy and physiotherapy amongst other programs. 

At Woodside, I feel home. I am not judged. I can be my true self. My mommy prayed for a very long time that I would make friends and her prayers were answered. I have a best friend, and the cool thing is that he helps me a lot. He is verbal and speaks on behalf of me. 

I can not live with my family in Witbank as there are no specialized care facilities that are a fit for me, as I need 24/7 care. 

My mommy is a teacher and unfortunately her salary barely covers my fees, as I also have other siblings whom also need to be attended to. She only receives R1500-00 maintenance per month for me from my biological father, and that barely makes a dent. 

My monthly fees are R13 649.00. This excludes other things such as clothing, medications, etc.  

Woodside Sanctuary is an NPO, and they have more than 80 residents who are cared for in a way that can only be described as unconditional love. Sadly, Woodside is not in a position where they can fund my costs as they also have many financial burdens that they are facing. 

We are pleading for help and assistance to help me continue to live at Woodside and keep on growing and developing to my full potential.

If you can help me and my mommy in any way, we would be beyond grateful. And I promise I'll learn the words "thank you", so I can one day say it myself.