Hero's Name: Lasya Botes
Accolade Type: Making a difference
Applauded for: Musical Hero
Nominated By: Mariza van Deventer
Music teacher Lasya Botes changes the lives of the special needs children of Legacy Centre through music. Legacy Centre is a tutoring centre for children with special needs situated in Denneoord, George. Lasya connects with autistic children in such a special way, even allowing a boy to bring his pet snail to a piano lesson. We witness autistic children connecting socially by playing the ukulele together, children who struggle to communicate verbally start singing and their confidence soars! Not to mention the development we see in their planning, memory and overall behaviour. Reaching children through music is Lasya's passion. Lockdown in 2020 was hard on everyone. Although she continued giving music lessons at Legacy Centre she stopped sending her monthly invoice. When we asked her about it, she said we can pay what we can afford. There are no words to express our gratitude for the enormous contribution Lasya Botes makes in the lives of our children with challenges. We are witness to the miracles that happen when our children are enveloped by music...and we are humbled by it. Thank you dearly, Lasya.
