Strathyre – a haven for young girls

The Strathyre Girls Home was established in 1921 as a home for displaced mothers with children in Germiston.

In 1934 the name Strathyre, meaning ‘little haven’, was adopted when the children’s home was transferred to a house in Troyville.

The house continued to function until 1968, when it was moved to its current facility in 11th Avenue in Kensington.

“The girl’s home is one of the caring Ministries of The Salvation Army. Our primary function or mission is to provide a secure, caring and loving home environment in which the children’s past hurts are addressed and where a spirit of hope for the future is encouraged and nurtured,” said Ms Xolisile Nxumalo.

The children are committed to the Salvation Army’s care through the Children’s Court due to varying degrees of abuse, neglect, poverty, abandonment or incapacity of their caregivers.

The home currently houses 47 girls, ranging from 3 to 18 years old.

The girls have different reasons for being there but at Strathyre they have found a place to call home.

“We try to create a normal and loving home environment as far as possible for the girls in our care. They all live under one roof in three self-contained wings that have bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen, as well as a flat for the childcare workers. It’s important that the girls and their caregivers live and interact as a family,” said Ms Nxumalo.

The girls attend various local schools and participate in sport and other extra-mural activities.

“We do everything in our power to help our girls overcome the traumatic circumstances that led to their arrival with us, and every effort is made to get the girls back to their families or communities as soon as possible,” said Ms Nxumalo.

The girls have challenges and the home assists in a number of ways to help them get through these troubling times.

The home has a social worker and psychologist to assist the girls with emotional trauma. Social workers also help with family contact by facilitating host parents’ relationships and foster parent placement and educational problems. The social worker will also help with the appropriate school placement, assessment and extra lessons.

Ms Nxumalo said another challenge the girls face is adjusting to leaving the home when they turn 18 years old.

Help is needed, especially in career preparation, workshops and independent living and continuous family contact.

Besides the challenges the girls have, the home also has its own challenges.

“We need clothing, stationery, bedding and any other basic items that keeps a home running. We appreciate any kind of donation. We also need people who can volunteer their time at the home, host parents to take the girls on weekends and school holidays, homework volunteers, job shadowing opportunities and help with the donation of unused material,” said Ms Nxumalo.

The home receives a subsidy from the government of R2 660 per month per child. The money received from the government is not enough to run the home.

The Salvation Army raises funds and commits to supporting the home. The budgetary shortfall is to be covered by fundraising.

“At the moment we need to raise R115 00 per month to balance the annual budget. We are always open to ideas on how to raise money and again welcome donations from businesses and individuals,” said Ms Nxumalo.

Those who are able to assist can contact Ms Nxumalo via email at administrator@strathyre.org.za

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