Place of safety calls for more volunteers

THE need for volunteers to donate their time and services to the House of Shalom‘s children home was identified at the organisation’s annual general meeting on Friday.

The institution, based in Brackenham and which incorporates the Ikhayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre for orphaned and vulnerable children and Siyabonga Shelter for women who are victims of gender-based violence and social crime, is appealling to the community for support.

Celebrating its 25th year anniversary, the organisation continues to sustain itself and is in a financially sound position.

Chairman Stephen Ngwira said the organisation needs volunteers who can assist the children with their academic work.

‘The study material will be provided by management which will make prospective volunteers’ work easier.

‘Volunteers have a significant role to play and we are appreciative of all the professionals who have volunteered their specialised services during the year,’ said Ngwira.

Welfare
Meanwhile, Ikhayalethu residential social worker Thulani Mnyandu said the home accommodated 66 children over the past year.

‘Ideally children are not meant to spend more than two years in a children’s home. It is meant to act only as a temporary arrangement until the child’s circumstances at his or her own home improve.

‘In reality it often takes more than two years to improve such circumstances and the child remains in our care until permanent reunification is possible.

‘A total of 26 children were returned with their families and five were placed in foster care.

‘We appeal to the community to extend a helping hand as many of the children remain here even during the holidays.

‘Education is an integral part of these children’s lives and we desperately need volunteers to help us, especially with their studies.

‘Education is not social workers’ expertise.

‘Our children are very misunderstood and we want schools to bear with us as these children come from very traumatising backgrounds and they cannot be compared to other children.

‘Despite all the odds, they have persevered and our children boasted a 100% pass rate.’

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