Safe haven for pregnant girls
JOBURG – DESTITUTE girls, especially young and unmarried mothers from Gauteng, will be happy to know that they have a place of safety for them called Uitkoms Home for Girls in Observatory.
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Noma Moyo, a social worker at the home, said it is a home for pregnant and homeless girls from the age of 13 to 18 in need of care. The home is on the corner of Innes and St George streets and provides children with accommodation, food and education.
Moyo said, “Normally we provide temporary care, but some of them we keep permanently until they pass their matric. We also provide care for orphans and abused, vulnerable children – some abused physically and some sexually. We provide help on a 24-hour basis.”
However, Moyo emphasised that they do not provide help for children who misbehave. “What we don’t provide here is help for children who have behavioural problems. Our priority here is to help raped, pregnant girls,” she said. She added that a child must be a South African citizen.
“We also help them to register at schools, and those who are pregnant stay here until they give birth and are ready for school again. Some are being registered with Adult Basic Education and Training,” she said.
This provides a foundation towards lifelong learning and development, comprising of knowledge and skills and the attitudes required for social and economic transformation, Moyo said.
She added some of the girls are brought to the home by individuals and others by numerous government departments ranging from social workers to police and many more.
Details: Noma Moyo 011 648 0400.