If you are looking for good food and wine in Rawsonville, then I highly recommend Du Toitskloof Wines. Attached to the main building where the wine tasting happens is a Melissa's Food shop. At Melissa's, they offer a breakfast and lunch menu along with a wide selection of cakes and other sweet treats. It's the best blend of good food, good wine, and a beautiful view.
One of our favorite places to do wine tasting is at Du Toitskloof Wines. They have a wide selection of wines and a beautiful setting along the Breedekloof Wine Route. Today's photos were taken on a drizzly day in October.
Today I'm continuing to share about the tour of the different departments at Kaleidoscope, formerly known as the Blind Institute. I am also including photos taken after the tour at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is often a vibrant function with good food and interesting stories. Every year that I'm invited to go on the tour to get a glimpse of the "behind the scenes" and listen to the function afterwards, I am left inspired!
We were in awe of Ying-Shan's musical ability as she played a long difficult piece on the piano and then sang a solo from the Phantom of the Opera. She is a grade 8 Braille student who uses Braille music notation to master her pieces. Among her achievements, she participated in the SAMRO National Music Competition two years in a row and both times made it through to the semi-finals with a standing ovation from the audience!
Another talented blind student who is in grade 10 was Robyn Waters singing opera. During May 2016 Robyn took part in the final round of Talent Africa. Her outstanding performance led to an invitation to represent South Africa in New York this past July. She is very versatile, singing across genres from classical to country. In New York, she sang nine songs in six different categories, winning all but one. She was also indicated as the overall winner in her age group! I was thrilled to see these two amazing achievers perform at Kaleidoscope's AGM. Being blind or multi-disabled does not mean that you cannot lead a rich and fulfilling life.
A special blend of coffee packaged by the visually impaired.
I became a volunteer reader at Kaleidoscope, formerly known as the Blind Institute, in the beginning of 2010. For the past seven years I have been reading a variety of printed material (like exams, text books, and novels) in a sound room to provide audio aids for the visually impaired and dyslexic. Recently I was a guest at the end-of-the-year function. Every time I go, I am impressed with what they have accomplished in the year and the new things that they're doing.
Kaleidoscope is the central hub for blind progression in South Africa, and soon the world. If you’re reading this with your eyes, Kaleidoscope is here to change your perceptions and show you how the blind can become leaders in this world, integrating into the workforce, society and everything in-between. If you’re reading this with your fingertips, Kaleidoscope is here to help you grow, tapping into limitless abilities and reaching every goal you’ve set. Kaleidoscope is a place of learning, development and progression. For those with sight and without. We can change how the world sees the blind, and how the blind see the world. All it takes is a change of perspective.
The Tactile Fossil Trail and Museum make it possible for the visually impaired to learn through touch.
Tactile Fossil Trail
Inside the Museum
Inside the Museum
The Art Gallery showcases works by the visually impaired and locally known artists.
The Art Gallery - Ledivia was our tour guide
Art by the Visually Impaired
Outside along the wall are large works of art by artists with text in Afrikaans about Kaleidoscope.
Black and White Art
Black and White Art
A new development at Kaleidoscope is the Coffee Department. They have their own special blend called Blindiana that the visually impaired weigh and package.
The New Coffee Department
The Weaving Department is still going strong. The visually impaired produce impressive mats and rugs by memorized patterns with counting and through feel.
