Complex families’ stresses keep welfare busy

KINGSBURGH Child and Family Welfare Society hosted its 69th AGM at its offices in Warner Beach on Monday, 8 September.

In her report for the year, senior social worker Sandra Govender said the majority of the society’s clients are individuals living under stressful situations. “For most, their circumstances are beyond their control. Some who have the means to support themselves, lack the ability to manage their finances. Another segment of our clientele comprise young, single parents with unplanned families. They lack parenting skills and are often unprepared for the responsibility of family life.”

Overall the organisation addressed the following problems: Marital and domestic violence issues; material assistance; single parenthood and unmarried motherhood; alcohol and drug abuse; HIV and Aids; child abuse and neglect.
“Our mandate is the protection of children and families. While the family is the most important unit of society, which gives children and youth a good foundation for life, recent data shows conditions under which children and young people live does not guarantee this. Family life has become increasingly diverse and complex, leaving them exposed to different forms of stresses.”

However, through its various programmes, the society aims to prevent serious problems which threaten children and their families.
With Lotto funding, the society was able to host the following programmes: Victim empowerment and domestic violence; child abuse awareness at schools; first aid training; women upliftment; HIV/Aids training; Heritage Day; a July holiday programme and a children’s Christmas party.

“We have had a positive response to our ongoing programmes. Our goals are to educate people with life skills, to enable them to lead happier and more productive lives.”
According to Sandra, the challenge in this field of social service has always been funding, as the society does not receive a subsidy from the Department of Social Development.

“Another challenge has been numerous organisations mushrooming in the area. They render social services, but without being a registered organisation or following correct protocol when it comes to service delivery. We urge the public and our stakeholders to be aware of these organisations.”

The average cost of running the society’s offices is about R20,000 a month. “The Lottery funding we receive is for specific needs only, all other expenses have to be met by ourselves. Fortunately a grant-in-aid from eThekwini Municipality comes in the form of free rental for our office building, for which we are grateful,” said chairman, Jenny Smith.

Throughout the year, the organisation feeds about 20 families per month and people who come to their door for assistance. “Every December our screened clients receive extra food, which enables them to give their families a real Christmas dinner. We also hold a Christmas party for 50 children.”

The committee has also undertaken to man a charity shop, which is open five mornings a week. “This project not only brings in income for our society, but helps our regular buyers to buy clothing at affordable prices, which enables them to resell in their own communities. The small profit helps them to provide food, school fees and other expenses for for their families. Unfortunately the donations of clothing and household goods have dropped dramatically, as we are now competing with businesses along Kingsway.”

Jenny thanked volunteers, the backbone of the organisation and the public for supporting its various fundraisers and projects throughout the year.

Guest speaker, Dumisani Madlala, a project co-ordinator at A Centre That Serves (ACTS) gave a moving account of his difficult childhood, turning to crime, subsequent arrest and imprisonment. He spoke of his years spent in prison as a teenager and of how he turned his life around.