Managers’ Report
Reflecting on the past year has again served to remind me that we work in an ever-changing environment, highlighting the importance of continually aligning our programs to the needs of our beneficiaries.
We strategically evaluated our Bridging Program during 2022 and it became clear that we needed to add components to the program in order to make it more effective and holistic.
Leaving a Children’s Home is extremely stressful for a young adult.
In the words of Helen Williams, a social worker at Durbanville Children’s Home: “Imagine knowing you are about to be discharged from the place you have called home for most of your childhood. Imagine you are about to turn 18 and are finishing school. Imagine the questions going through your mind: how will I cope, where will I live, will I be able to get a job or study? Imagine being aware that the chances of succeeding are statistically stacked against you. Imagine the fear you are feeling. You are after all a child who grew up in a children’s home.”
We want to utilise this critical window of opportunity to equip and prepare our young people; setting them up to be independent, functioning young adults who are able to contribute positively to the society into which they are transitioning.
We have implemented a bridging program with the following five objectives.
1. Teach young adults (aged 15- 17years) relevant life skills on site
Lack of role models, low self-esteem, developmental delays and traumatic experiences, have deprived our children of life skills that are on par with their peers.
2. Accommodate young adults in their final year at Durbanville Children’s Home in a house in the community, teaching them to live independently.
Currently facilitated at Huis Andrag in Kraaifontein, the focus of the daily programme is on independent living.
3. Teach work readiness skills and practical work skills within a structured program.
Some of our children drop out of school due to gaps in their schooling prior to admission, motivation, or feeling that they cannot keep up with the academic requirements. We have implemented a skills programme as part of our daily programme. This focusses on work performance and readiness, equipping our young people with the skills to find employment in the community.
4. Accommodate and support students financially to study further at tertiary institutions.
5. Accommodate and support school leavers whilst finding employment.
We know all too well that if children are not assisted to make a successful transition, the probability of them ending up on the streets, where they are exposed to drug abuse, gang violence, poverty, crime, etc, will increase; continuing the cycle of learned behaviours into their adult lives, such as abuse and neglect, towards their own children. We aim to facilitate them into becoming contributing, confident, functioning young adults breaking the cycle for generations to come.
Since we are celebrating and commemorating 140 years of care in 2023 I find peace in the knowledge that our programmes have been, and will continue to be, adapted and molded through years of experience to best suit the needs of our children.
I am blessed with a knowledgeable Board, excellent Managers and Staff coupled with dedicated volunteers and generous donors. This makes us a formidable team.
I am looking forward to the year ahead. With the vision of creating nurturing living conditions for 144 vulnerable children at Durbanville Children’s Home. To ensure they are protected and supported so they can have the best chance in life.
Johanna Strauss
Manager: Durbanville Children’s Home