Early Childhood Development, Youth Development, May 6, 2021, 9:39 a.m.

The children always comes first!

Author: riaan@wecanchange.co.za

We have come through the first quarter of 2021, the second year now of the pandemic that has disrupted lives and livelihoods across the world.

Hello from our April Newsletter

We have come through the first quarter of 2021, the second year now of the pandemic that has disrupted lives and livelihoods across the world. Autumn has come with a sigh of relief – that we’re here; that our organisation has been resilient enough; that our work has been supported; and that the precious children in our care are safe and have continued to make progress in their healing journeys and in day-to-day life.

In these stressful times, hope has carried us through. In our surrounds, we’ve seen hope in action as communities have come together to support one another. In our Home, hope has been alive as we have discovered new ways to be together through long periods of isolation and ongoing uncertainties. Our children have lived and played together in new and different ways, and our staff has engaged and related to them in new and different circumstances. We’ve all emerged with a deeper appreciation for each other, and a renewed gratefulness for the people who touch our lives.

We'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all the supporters of the SA Children’s Home. Your commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children is extraordinary.

The Helping Hands of our Volunteers

Thank you also to all our volunteers for your generous time and expertise. We are blessed to have volunteers who help in so many ways from providing our children with medical care to assessing their educational needs; from teaching them about dental health to giving music, yoga and cooking classes.

THANK YOU!!

Please watch our Facebook page in the coming weeks as you might be able to assist and even bring other volunteers into our family.

Volunteers teaching kids the guitar

Kids' Corner

There has been a huge, ongoing celebration after our swimming pool, which has been covered for two years was finally cleaned and deemed ready for use. The kids thoroughly enjoy their time in the water.

One of our senior boys got a full scholarship to Wynberg boys which he is enjoying immensely.

Congratulations to our twins who celebrated their 16^th birthday at the beginning of April.

Congratulations to four of our kids in the transitional program - two completed their tertiary studies, one in Law and the other achieved a BA degree. Another two made us proud as they started their internships in March!

Our Wonderful Staff

We welcome our new in-house Social Worker, Sharon Chinouya

who started on 1 March.

This year two of our child care workers will be celebrating ten years of service at the SA Children’s Home. Over a decade, Nosiswe Dyani and Collette Booysen have been on a journey with the Home – witnessing the children arriving, growing, healing and leaving.

Here are some of their reflections on the past year, and the last 10 years:

Tannie Collette Tanni Nosi on the right

What was the biggest challenge during COVID 19 and lockdown?

Nosiswe: “In the beginning it was very difficult for the children to understand the pandemic and to adjust to the new normal of wearing masks, not going to the park and washing hands every hour.”

Collette: “We faced the challenge of having a new outlook on how we live our lives. We’ve had to follow the new rules, laws and protocols and deal with the emotion of not only the kids but ours as the staff. Also, we had to set up new programs to meet the needs of the children.”

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do at the SACH?

Nosiswe: “Seeing the development of the kids and myself being part of setting the standard for the high quality of care at SACH.”

Collette: “I appreciate that I can make a difference in the children’s lives and guide them to a better future.”

What has been the highlight of your 10 years at SACH?

Nosiswe: “Reuniting our children back with their families and to see our children turning into successful, contributing young adults.”

Collette: “Seeing the successes of the children that were here and knowing that I also had a hand in shaping their future. I can honestly say that I have grown as a person and a professional and thank my colleagues, friends and family for their support.”

SA Children's Home ~ Needs List

Children’s clothes:

Boys’ and girls’ underwear (6-18 years)
Tracksuit pants for boys (6-18 years)
Takkies for boys and girls (6-18 years)

Toiletries:

Soap, roll-on deodorants; disposable razors; toothpaste

Household needs:

Non-perishable food for holiday food parcels such as canned meat; canned beans; canned fish; tea; coffee; sugar; oats; jam; rice pasta; long life milk.

Household cleaning materials:

Sanitizer

How well do you know the SA Children's Home?

The South African Children’s Home was the first welfare institution established in South Africa. Now more than 200 years later, we continue to care for children by providing a secure, friendly, homely environment for its family of 44 boys and girls.

The children always comes first!

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