Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre

Gert Maritz, a community doctor at Memel, first realised the impact that HIV/Aids was having on the community of Memel and Zamani as he was faced with the needs of the children from these communities on a daily basis. He started to investigate possible ways of helping these children.

On 7 November 2003 he made an appointment with the director of the Free State Youth Care Centres. Other organisations and individuals also offered assistance, namely Amos Agrimen, a movement which preaches the word of God on farms, Doctors Ron and Ena Bromley, originally from the Damascus Road Community Church of Maryland, USA and Mrs Cilna Maritz who played an indispensable role throughout.

The foundation meeting took place on 14 May 2004. At this meeting, the social worker of the department of social development, Mary Masuaya, urged the community to take action as the number of community children in need of care was very high. Mr. JW du Toit was elected as chairperson and Mrs. Khumalo as vice chairperson of the steering committee of the project. The committee decided to rent a property at 9 Voortrekkerstraat and started the Dumisani project officially in September 2004.

A building plot was brought from the Phumelela municipality. It is situated in the Zumani township and building is now completed. The name Dumisani means “praise”.

SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CENTRE TO THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre render care to 12 children from the local community of Memel and surrounding area (Vrede, Warden and Frankfort). Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre aims to work according to an individual development plan with each resident child which also includes therapeutic work. The social worker offers advice to the community as and when required.

The centre acts as a place of safety for children requiring such care urgently. Services are rendered to the families of residents which include advice and material assistance when needed. The centre has a referral function and needy families in the community are referred to the department of social development for further assistance.

Personnel

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre have one child and youth care worker, Me. Francina Marailang and one assistant child and youth care worker. The centre also has an all time cleaner and part time gardener. The part time social worker is Mrs. Daphne Rowe who works on contract basis at the centre.

Age, gender and language of the residents

16 Children of both sexes are accommodated from age 2 to 18. The centre mainly accommodates black children due to its location. At present the centre has only black children who are mainly Sotho and Zulu speaking.

Interests, achievements and unique characteristics of the residents

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre encourage its children to have various interests. Children of the centre mainly have an interest in sports such as soccer and netball.

Members of the management and their involvement in the community

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre have an active child care committee and well functioning financial committee. Members of the management committee are from Zamani township and Memel and exist of white and black people in accordance with the population distribution of the area.

Memel community are involved at the centre and provide in the needs of the centre regarding clothing, toys and food. Women of the local Dutch Reformed Church are at present involved in the compiling of life books for the children at the centre.

Church and school involvement

The centre’s children attend the Dutch Reformed Church in Zamani. They attend local primary and secondary schools in Zamani and Memel.

Needs

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre have a need to assist resident children to achieve effective independence. For this reason, the centre would like to start skills and entrepreneurial projects which could provide older children with the necessary skills to become independent. The centre has a need for volunteers who can assist in these projects. The centre also needs material for these projects, which can be made into articles for selling.