R2.4m revamp on the cards for Durban GBV victim safe house

THE Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH), a national non-profit organisation, is currently commemorating its 100th year milestone.

As part of this celebration, it has embarked on upgrading its existing ABH VJ Kara Family Centre, a facility for victims of domestic violence.

Meera Patel, director of the facility said: “Our dream is to provide a holistic home for victims of domestic violence and their children. Our experience has shown us that gender-based violence victims often stay with their abusers as they are not taught how to be financially and emotionally independent. Our aim is to counsel such victims and prevent them from falling into the trap of silent abuse. Our mission and vision has evolved from this observation. Our vision is to empower women in soft skills such as lay counselling, cooking, baking and sewing.”

She said the approach at ABH is to adopt preventive measures.

R2.4mil revamp set for Durban GBV victim safe house 

“We believe that if women are self-empowered by having many choices and options that give them a latitude of economic independence, they will have a reduced risk of being victimised by family members and society. Rather than focusing on damage control, we take the road that cuts at the very root of abusive relationships. We have evolved a route that is people-centred rather than problem-centred,” she said.

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This vision was conceived due to the proactive thinking of the ABH’s CEO, Naren Pattundeen, who expressed the ABH approach in these words: “We see roadblocks as great opportunities. This positive approach gives us the confidence to assist women who are facing similar blockages on their way. Our mission is to re-connect women to their community. They arrive at our home with tarnished images of themselves, but we hope to return them to society empowered so that they can add value to their community and take up their rightful roles in determining the future of society”.

Both Pattundeen and Patel are enthusiastic about setting up a new double-storey centre having 620 square metres floorspace.

The new centre will require significant alterations and re-construction of the existing single-storey building.

Prime space will be designated for a skills and activities centre which will provide training of women in simple skills that will make them financially independent.

Their wellness will also be seen to by providing facilities for them to practice silent meditation and enjoy reading, self-study and personality enhancement programmes run by trained staff. The centre will include a large kitchen.

The improved building will have a second level where there will be dormitory-style accommodation facilities for up to 18 residents, including their children.

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The upgrades are estimated to cost R2.4million, of which the ABH has secured R300 000 from a donor.

“We appeal to corporates and individuals to help us raise the remaining R2.1 million of the funds. The construction has already begun and should be completed by April 2021,” he said.

The ABH is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) therefore donations are tax deductible.

The NPO will issue Section 18A Certificates for donations for submission with your tax return.

If you would like to donate towards the upgrading of the ABH, or if you are a victim of domestic violence, contact the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre on 031 404 9523 or email vep@abh.co.za.

Corporates that are keen to partner with the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre can email kish@abh.co.za.

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