Like most households today, Johannesburg Children’s Home is currently facing trying times.
“We believe that child care is not just the provisions of food and shelter but also includes the provision of a special place for a child to be in a home in which they can take pride and feel surrounded by love and warmth.”
This is the motto of Johannesburg Children’s Home.
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The 124-year-old home in Observatory, Urinia Village, has been giving love and care to homeless and distressed children for decades.
It is the oldest children’s home in Johannesburg and has stood the test of time and has not lost its purpose.
“The home caters for children of all races between the ages of three to 18 years old,” said managing director Annette Brokensha.
Children are taken in depending on availability of space and the skills of the carers in relation to the needs of the children are considered.
Ms Brokensha said the home has helped many children and many of them have become valuable members of the community.
The home has programmes to help the children to find their place in society.
Three programmes are education, therapy and development. These programmes help children develop coping skills and it also address the emotional need of children as most of the children who enter the home are sad, were neglected and abused.
A number of the children come to the home with educational gaps and the home tries to attend to the child’s educational needs.
“We ensure a child is placed in the most appropriate school. Our children attend 16 different schools.
“We carefully select the schools to provide them with the best possible environment to ensure that they learn and develop to their fullest potential,” said Ms Brokensha.
The children are closely monitored through care workers to ensure that they achieve their educational goals.
“Some of the children have special educational needs and require attention to ensure they don’t fall behind in their school work.
“Through the educational support programme and the systems we put in place, children who are struggling, grow in self-confidence and ability,” said Ms Brokensha.
The therapy programme helps with improving a child’s sensory, physical, academic, social and emotional needs.
“Most of the children who walk through our doors have suffered trauma as a result of abuse. Our mission is to heal them and put the pieces back together,” said Ms Brokensha.
Social workers, together with nurses, work together to ensure the child’s needs are met holistically.
Play therapy and psycho-social counselling techniques are used to strengthen the child’s emotional well being.
The therapy helps with self-esteem and healthy growth and development is encouraged.
The final one is the development programme which has nine different programmes.
These nine programmes are Siphamandla (give us strength), Siyathuthuka (Kiddios Development), Speak up, Aardklop (let your talent shine), 1 Goal 1 Dream, Ikhaya Lobukhono Bethu, President’s Awards, Siya Sebenza (we are working) and Closer 2 Home.
These programmes address the day to day life challenges and they get to learn how to face them and cope with them.
“The children and youth go through various life stages, they experience different challenges. In the programme we are able to build on their strengths by equipping them with appropriate skills in development, leadership training and mentoring on general life skills,” said Ms Brokensha.
Ms Brokensha said it has not been easy keeping the home running for this long and help is required from the community and sponsors.
“Residents of Johannesburg have been very loyal in their support of the home. The board of governors has been very active and the staff have worked very hard to raise funds as the needs are ongoing,” said Ms Brokensha.
She said running the home has become costly.
“The cost of children’s schooling, nutrition and psycho-social support is a significant. The upkeep of the cottage and property also requires continued maintenance.
“Like any household we are face trying times and really appreciate the effort of all our neighbours and friends in the community who support the children according to their means,” said Ms Brokensha.
She said the home always welcomes assistance and volunteers.
The home also offers a catering service as a way to raise funds for the home.
“Please, we ask the community to support us. If you need platters for your event contact us. We also offer laundry service for bulky items such as bedding and table cloths,” said Ms Brokensha.
If you would like to contact the home and offer donations or help you can contact them on pr@jch.org.za or 011 5680407.
