Friends of Vista Nova

About us

Friends of Vista Nova, founded in 2005, is a registered Not for Profit Organisation with the sole purpose of raising funds for the Vista Nova School, situated in Cape Town, South Africa. Vista Nova School caters for learners with Cerebral Palsy and other learning disabilities. Unlike traditional community based schools, Vista Nova caters for learners all over the Cape Peninsula, including the notorious Cape Flats.

Vista Nova´s Parent Teacher Association was responsible for the school fundraising activities up until the end of 2004. During the course of 2004 the association came to the realisation that in order to obtain funding on a more consistent basis they required an official entity that is completely separate from the school and focused exclusively on fundraising.

Today Friends of Vista Nova manages a number of highly successful fundraising initiatives such as an annual charity auction, tin drive and a bargain shop. Added to these activities are continued efforts to obtain funding from Corporate donors, Foundations and Trusts. Established in 1954 by the concerned parents of four children, the school´s focus would specifically fall on children with Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Learning Disabled and Autistic Spectrum Disorder children. Children start at the school from the age of 4 years old as early intervention is critical to their success. Our children write the same Grade 12 examinations as the mainstream schools and a lot of our students go onto University. The school has Physiotherapy, Speech and Occupational therapy and the children receive these therapy’s as part of their school fees (for those that can afford to pay school fees). We have financial assistance for these children to the value of R1.8 million and this is where fundraising is critical.

From humble beginnings in 1954 with only 4 pupils, 2 teachers, a nursing sister and a physiotherapist, Vista Nova has grown to an enrolment of over 470 pupils, some 120 staff members and a full time bus service provided by a fleet of 6 busses with wheelchair lifts. It is a remarkable story of how a need developed into a necessity.

Sandi Wells is the Office and Development Manager of Friends of Vista Nova.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.