Bethany Home was established in 1966 and continues to provide training and an educational program for children and adults with special needs. As at April 2021, we have 117 children with special needs (intellectual deficiency, spastic, autism and epilepsy) coming from a multi-racial and multi-religious background. Activities/Events The COVID-19 pandemic had affected many of our […]

Bethany Home was established in 1966 and continues to provide training and an educational program for children and adults with special needs. As at April 2021, we have 117 children with special needs (intellectual deficiency, spastic, autism and epilepsy) coming from a multi-racial and multi-religious background.

Activities/Events
The COVID-19 pandemic had affected many of our planned activities and events for the year 2020. Our activities were restricted due to the Movement Control Order and Conditional Movement Control Order. Despite the restrictions, some activities and events were organised. The major highlight for the year 2020 was our record making event. Bethany Home made history by creating a record for the biggest patriotic banner made by special needs participants. This record making event enabled Bethany Home to showcase the effective training and services provided by our teachers. It was truly an amazing achievement for our students as well.

Current Developments and Expansions
In line with our vision for the future, Bethany Home continues to develop and expand its services and training within its core values and basic objectives. Some of the current developments and expansions are:

• Bethany Home Gallery (Bethany Home’s History and Archive Centre)
• Bethany Home – Bethany Lutheran Congregation Kindergarten (EIP Integration)
• Bethany Home Gift & T – Shirt Printing (Vocational Training/Sheltered Employment)
• Bethany Home Bakery (Vocational Training/ Sheltered Employment)
• Bethany Home Pre-Loved Clothes Shop (Sheltered Employment)
• Bethany Home Stationery Centre (Vocational Training/Sheltered Employment)
• Bethany Home Sports Training Centre (Paralympic/Special Olympics Training)
• Bethany Home Plant/Herbs Nursery (Vocational Training/Sheltered Employment)
• Bethany-Selecta Technical Vocational Education and Training Centre (Integrated Learning and Study Centre)
• Bethany Home Media Centre ( Audio/Visual Recording Studio)

Future Development
Bethany Home, in its mission to expand its services to the special needs’ community, intends to develop an Independent Living Smart Home Village, with the objective of providing a community for persons with physical and development disabilities. This Independent Living Smart Home Village consisting of partly furnished smart homes, Skill/Vocational Training Centre, a 24-hour medical clinic with ambulance service, 24-hour security service, mini-mart, cafe, sensory park and playground with fish farm and vegetable farm is being designed to provide a unique concept living for persons with special needs. This residential community will be identified as Bethany Smart Home Village. The entire project is based on individual/company sponsorships and via donations. Currently, the concept design and structural planning of the project is on-going.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bethany Home continues to rely on the surrounding community, the public and our partners for financial support. The COVID-19 pandemic impeded our donations and funding, as we had to shut down operations. By God’s grace, none of our Bethany Home teachers and staff lost their jobs. Despite this global setback, Bethany Home managed to pull through and continues to provide training and services to the special needs’ community. True to the Word of God in Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Bethany Home truly experienced the power of God at work during this journey through the valley of the shadow of death.

Prayer needs
Bethany Home requests our partners to continue to uphold us in prayer. Some of our prayer needs include:

• The Bethany Home community including families, donors and partners to be protected from the deadly COVID-19 virus
• Bethany Home to be financially stable to weather through this challenging time
• The development and expansion of Bethany Home to continue in spite of various obstacles

Note of Thanks
Bethany Home sincerely thanks the Lutheran Women of Australia for their continuous support through the years. The support rendered has truly impacted our special students and the Bethany Home community in ways that go beyond words. May God continue to bless the Lutheran Church of Australia and the global impacting ministries that the church is involved in.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in mission, serving in practical ways, teaching English, teaching in the seminaries and institutions of our partner churches, or in local churches, you are invited to phone Nevin on (08) 8267 7300 or email nevin.nitschke@lca.org.au. For more information, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/volunteer/

Read more stories about volunteering at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/join-gods-mission/volunteers/