A home for the homeless

The EXPRESS recently visited Twilight Children, a homeless shelter for boys based in Hillbrow.

Twilight Children is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) and is registered with the Department of Social Development.

The home was formed in 1983 as a response to the situation of children, particularly boys, living on the streets. It was originally a soup kitchen where the homeless would come and have something to eat, but would have to leave. The shelter was later extended to become the shelter it is today.

Twilight Children is currently in a process of transformation, from being a shelter to being a Child and Youth Centre. It is hoped the changes will be in effect from January 2015.

“It is because of the implementation of the Children’s Act, which aims to better protect the children of South Africa,” said Mr Mandla Mkandla, the finance manager at the home.

Even though the home is based in Hillbrow, staff take in children from any area who are in need.

Mr Mandla Mkandla said the home provides shelter to boys from the ages of eight to 18.

“The home only takes in boys because of the demand. If you look at the children living on the streets, most of them are boys. This does not, however, mean there is no need for homes for girls,” he said.

According to Mr Mkandla, some of the lads at the home are taken in from the streets. There are those, however, who have been brought to the home by caregivers, due to economic situations fuelled by step-parent issues.

“Some of the children come from abusive homes and when they get here, they need counselling. It takes time for them to open up and talk about their experiences,” he added.

He said one of the challenges faced at the shelter is that some of the boys arrive without the necessary papers. The home has to then get the paperwork done before they can take the child in. The process can sometimes take a long time, which makes it harder for them to do their job.

“Once all the paperwork is done, we then take them in and find a school for them. The home works with two no-fee schools in the area. Some of the boys have gone on to attend university because of bursaries and scholarships, which they received from two private companies. That is also an inspiration for the boys who are still at the home, because they can see it is also possible for them to go on and further their studies beyond matric,” he said.

The boys stay at Twilight Children until they are 18, but if they are still not finished with their matric, they are allowed to stay at the home until they finish school.

Mr Mkandla said they have popular programmes run at the home, which includes the community.

Beading and potting are some of the projects run at the home. These projects are aimed at those with an artistic flair. Qualified trainers are on-site to provide structured training. The products produced are then sold to help fund the projects.

Mr Mkandla urges the public to get involved by donating items like non-perishable foods, clothing, shoes and building repair materials, so that maintenance can be done at the home.

“We are also in need of volunteers who can spend a little of their time to help with administration, plumbing and electrical work,” he said.

Twilight Children has an IT centre, with fully functioning computers donated by Sassa and the Minister of Social Development; however the school is seeking partners who can provide accredited training.

Anyone who wants to get involved can contact Mr Mkandla on 011 484-1590. Alternatively, visit the website www.twilightchildren.co.za for more information.