FAMILY photos, sibling squabbles and laughter at the dinner table – it’s easy to take for granted the everyday simple pleasures if they have always been a part of your life. For many children, such as those at St Monica’s Children’s Home, it’s the little things in life they crave most.
The Bluff based non-government institution cares for orphaned and vulnerable children and is registered to accommodate 84 children and youth ranging from 3 to 18 years for girls and 3 to 12 years for boys. While the home exists to provide a loving and safe environment for the children in its care through developmental programmes, education, health care and social interaction, the children’s need for a nuclear family remains.
“What we have found is that some children just don’t have anybody. No gogo, aunty, uncles, parents, nobody. They get so lonely at times. Hence why we have our St Monica’s Host Programme.”
A host is somebody unrelated to the child, who would voluntarily take the time to get to know them by visiting them at the home and be willing to be a host in their life. “In the past, a host could also take a child out for lunch or for the day. This is something we will look into again as the risk of Covid-19 declines,” said director at the home, Althea Govender.
“We are in dire need of host families but it must be stressed that there is no monetary reward for this nor is there an imposition to foster or adopt the child. It’s simply about opening your heart and dedicating your time towards building a bond with a child in need of love, care and compassion. We’re a big family here at St Monica’s but our children need interaction with a smaller unit and one-on-one time to fill the void of loneliness that they experience at times as well as broaden their understanding of family. So much goodness comes from this experience, it makes the children feel so special, helps build their self-esteem and know that they have someone out there to lean on,” she added.
Hosting involves a screening process, which entails an interview, filling a form and a home visit. This ensures that the host would be a right fit for the child and provide a conducive environment.
The host programme is not limited to the Bluff, but is open to all areas in greater Durban and is available for all children of all ages in the home. For more information call St Monica’s Children’s Home on 031-468-8656 or send an e-mail at althead@stmonicas.org.za.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. For any comments or queries, contact the National Group Editor, Irma Green at irma@caxton.co.za or the Legal Adviser, Helene Eloff at helene@caxton.co.za.
DID YOU KNOW? Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179 The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there? Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
