Kids Haven has always aimed to be the lighthouse in a dark place for children who have no homes, and they remain doing so during this pandemic.
“Kids Haven has bed space, and will always make space, to offer children a safe home when needed,” said fund-raising coordinator Susan Daly.
“The most powerful of all relationships are those held in family.?Most of us have been isolating with our family for more than eight weeks.
“Here at Kids Haven, our in-care family is made up of 151 children and 39 carers and social workers attending directly to the children initially starting with 21-day shifts and now on five-day shifts.
“Our other family members including our drivers, charity shop staff and security and maintenance teams are coming and going in line with the coronavirus protocols for businesses.”
Covid-19 critical care hospital to be set up at Gallagher Convention Centre
Daly added there has been an increased trust built between the children and staff through shared activities.
“Simply spending time with each other has been incredibly valuable. We are in many ways grateful to have been living through this time.
“Our children are also carrying on with their school work, mostly without computer-aided or online learning, although those with online lessons have been able to work on the social workers’ computers.
“Our bridging school has carried on during this time and our youth have been learning skills around the home that still add value.
Daveyton Intermediate School learners pleased to be a school
New admissions:
Kids Haven has increased the size of the family with four new admissions and two pending admissions recently.
“Kids Haven was always expecting two siblings to join their older siblings who are already living at Kids Haven and we were happy to welcome the two younger children.”
Managing director Moira Simpson anticipates that if the gogos who are responsible for so many children in the communities should be severely impacted by this virus, Kids Haven can expect to find many more children coming into their care.
“We are ready. Sadly, for now our admissions are due to the never-ending violence and abuse of children that continue to thrive and seems immune to this pandemic,” Daly explained.
“We are ready for these children too. The most important help we can give right now is to be a stable, secure and nurturing environment to hold the children while the world tilts around us.”
