Joshua is 10 years old. He has never said his mother's name out loud.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't have something to say.
This is Joshua Trichardt. He has severe autism, he's non-verbal, and he lives with epilepsy. He can't tell his parents when something hurts, or when something scares him. He relies completely on routine, structure, and the people who understand him — to feel safe.
Every smile. Every small achievement. Every moment of connection — his parents, Louis and Joulene, hold onto every single one of them.
Right now, Joshua is at a special needs school where he is safe, cared for, and understood. But from next year, his parents will no longer be able to afford his school fees.
They've applied for a place at Con Amore, a public special needs school — but the waiting list is long, and no one can tell them how long they'll have to wait.
Their greatest fear is simple: that Joshua will have to leave his school before another place opens up. And if that happens, one of them will have no choice but to stop working — because Joshua cannot be left unsupervised, not even for a moment.
It's not just school fees. Every month, this family is covering epilepsy medication, neurologist appointments, therapy, doctor's visits, nappies, and the daily essentials that come with caring for a child with complex needs.
As parents, they say this is their worst nightmare. Not because they're asking for something extra — but because they're fighting to hold onto the one thing that is already working for their son.
To keep Joshua in his current school while they wait for a place at Con Amore, this family needs approximately R9,200 (USD 570) a month.
That's it. That's the ask. Not a luxury — just the chance to keep their son in the one place he already knows he's safe.
If you can give, any amount helps — every donation goes directly toward keeping Joshua in school, and covering his medication, therapy, and care while his family waits for a place at Con Amore.
And if you can't give right now, you can still help — by sharing this video. Every share is another chance for Joshua's story to reach someone who can.
Joshua deserves the same chance to learn, grow, and feel safe as every other child.
Thank you for taking the time to hear his story.
The CLR Foundation is committed to helping Joshua stay safe and loved.
Watch the video on YouTube- here is the link
Visit our website CLR FOUNDATION for updates
