The idea of the day care was born in 2016. We started to dream about what such a facility could offer the families we were working with and how it could be a place of hope for children with special care and stimulation needs. We dreamed of providing a model of care that included empowering mothers with knowledge and skills to understand their child's disability. In addition, we wanted to be a local facility that was easily accessible and served families living in a particular area, noting that care centres for children with disabilities were few and far between. 

In 2018 our dream became a reality! After nearly 2 years of investigating locations and considering properties, we purchased a premises in a quiet residential area in Kwanobuhle. Kwanobuhle is a large township just outside Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is approximately a 70km drive from Jeffreys Bay and has a population of more than 100 000 people. 

The purchase was possible through funds raised in memory of Alena Hubcsher, a Swiss volunteer with Timion in 2016. The centre's name, Alena's Love Daycare for Precious Children, was chosen in commemoration of her life. 

The house required substantial renovations and the building process would take place in 2 phases. The renovation for the first phase began at the end of 2018. 

In February 2019, we officially opend Alena's Love! Phase 1 of the building was complete and we began with five children in attendance. It was a memorable time with the Timion and Alena's Love teams working closely together. 

Fundraising continued athroughout 2019. And by the end of the year we had enough money raised to complete phase 2 of the building project. In addition to two newly built and spacious classrooms, Alena's Love Daycare also boasts a multi-purpose room and a counselling office, a wheelchair-friendly deck and a grass area for outside activities. Every facility and new addition has made attending Alena's Love a unique and unparalleled experience for the children. 

In this journey we have discovered our dream of being a place of hope for families with persons with disability. As we grow, so does our understanding of the families we serve, each child's specific needs and the realities they face within their surrounding community. And as our capacity increases, we desire more and more to see their empowerment, with each child living in the true purpose for their life.