iThemba has had a busy year and there’s much more ahead

Apart from counselling support services within the city, iThemba’s staff and volunteers also reach out to Benoni’s surrounding communities on a regular basis.

“Over the years we have established good relationships with residents of Benoni’s surrounding communities,” senior social worker Jath van der Westhuizen stated.

“Our campaigns focus strongly on people living in the informal settlements.

“Often these people are more vulnerable and exposed to crime, which is linked to traumatic experiences.”

iThemba’s community campaigns address issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as “knowing your rights as women” and marketing its services to the community through door-to-door campaigns and by visiting schools.

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iThemba reaches out to Umnyezane Primary School

On February 12, iThemba’s Putfontein Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC) conducted a campaign at Umnyezane Primary School in Putfontein.

With the theme “Walk to my future”, social auxiliary worker Winnie Mona and her team handed out shoes to children in need.

“We received new shoes from members of the Crystal Park community, as well as private donations from employees of the Department of Community Safety,” said van der Westhuizen.

“Altogether we received 21 pairs of shoes.

iThemba was informed by the school principal that some children didn’t have proper shoes to wear, after which the organisation approached the community for help.

Planned events for the year

iThemba’s Putfontein VEC is currently planning a big event for June 16 (Youth Day).

“Last year more than 1 000 residents of Mogoba Village, near Daveyton, attended our event,” said Mona, who is the manager of the Putfontein VEC.

“This year we plan to reach even more people on Youth Day.”

Apart from planning for the upcoming Youth Day campaigns at their eight VECs, iThemba is also planning various Freedom Day celebration campaigns, Arrive Alive campaigns, Family Values campaigns and taking a girl/boy to work campaigns.

“We will continue with our regular door-to-door campaigns, where we engage with residents about important matters such as domestic violence,” said van der Westhuizen.

The youth will participate in competitive games and residents will receive free meals.

Victim Empowerment Centres

Apart from having a branch in Braamfontein, iThemba has eight VECs based at police stations in Benoni, Actonville, Boksburg, Tsakane, Etwatwa, Putfontein, Daveyton and Crystal Park

At these centres the public can receive free trauma counselling and they are welcome to make use of these services.

“We believe nobody should pay for trauma counselling services,” said Sandile Mafu, iThemba’s centre manager.

For more information, counselling or any form of donations, contact Sandile on 011 422 4107 during office hours.

READ: Step in as an iThemba volunteer

Recent projects from other VECs

“During the past month, our Tsakane VEC delivered a motivational talk at Michael Mkhuwazi Primary School (February 19) and conducted a Crime Awareness Road Show at the Tsakane Shopping Centre,” added van der Westhuizen.

“On February 24, our Etwatwa VEC distributed pamphlets about domestic violence in Etwatwa East, while engaging with the public on this topic.

“Most of our other VECs also distributed pamphlets to their surrounding communities.

“Etwatwa VEC also celebrated Valentine’s Day with the children at the Sechaba Community Day Care Centre, on the same day that VEC held a drug awareness campaign at the Tshepo Themba Hall in Etwatwa East.

“On March 9, Putfontein VEC conducted a career day at the East Rand School of the Arts (ERSA).”

Last year, iThemba experienced a deficit in its monthly budget. Has this changed in the meantime?

“As mentioned in the previous article, our monthly budget still faces the same deficit of R18 000,” the senior social worker said.

“We are dependent on the public’s donations to help cover our expenses, as the government subsidises us only partially.

“While clothes and food donations enable us to reach out to the community, the public’s financial donations assist us with our running costs.

“We have appointed a marketing person to assist us with fundraising.”

Is there news on the idea of bringing back the medico-legal services to iThemba?

“Due to the enormous cost of restarting and maintaining the medico-legal services, and the current monthly deficit on our running costs, we were forced to put this project on hold for the time being,” van der Westhuizen explained.

The term “medico-legal services” refers to the forensic facilities used to collect physical evidence after sexual abuse, as well as a staff nurse who collects the evidence and files a report for use in the investigation and court case.

With this, iThemba was previously able to catalyse convictions, which helped victims’ recovery.

iThemba’s head office is based at the corner of Kimbolton Street and Woburn Avenue, in Western Extension.

The centre can be contacted on 011 422 4107 or at reception@ithembasupport.org.za.

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