Nala re Thabile Child and Youth Care Centre

The dynamic community of Bothaville forms an interdenominational multi-cultural action committee (The Bothaville Board for Charity) which, in cooperation with all the local role players, investigated the possibility of establishing two youth care centres – one in Bothaville and one in Naledi. The first meeting of this committee on 30th May 2002, was conducted by Rev. Johan Lessing, Rev. Simon Dlamini and Rev. Jan Els. The social worker, Mrs. Lettie Ferreira, also served on the committee.

The Bothaville Board for Charity requested N.G. Welfare on 10th February 2005 to consider acquiring a stand from New Holland (Vetsak), as the existing office block could be converted into a youth care centre without too large a financial outlay. There is a borehole on this property and it is within walking distance of the schools in Kgotsong and Naledi. After due consideration, this property was bought, sub-divided and rezoned so that the youth care centre would have large but manageable grounds. This office complex was converted to a very functional youth care centre. An amount of R651 601 was spend. Rev. Hennie Hattingh was chosen as the first chairman and Rev. Simon Dlamini as vice chairman at the first meeting held with interested parties from the community on the 24th November 2005. The youth care centre was inaugurated during June 2006. The name means “We are happy / contented”.

Children

The youth care centre at this stage caters mainly for young children. At first it was registered for 16 children – 8 boys and 8 girls. On 1 April 2009 this number was enlarged to 24 children. The rooms are large and with help from the committee, have been furnished to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The children like to play soccer and the centre has space for a soccer field but requires soccer equipment as well as a coach for the children.

Services rendered

The youth care centre make use of the services of a social worker. She visits the centre twice a week.

When a child is being admitted to the centre a multi therapeutic team meeting is held to draw up an Individual Developmental Plan and Permanence Plan for each child. This plan helps the persons involved with the child to know who will render which services to the child concerned. It also helps to co-ordinate the services.

The social worker and the child and youth care worker often have discussions about the child – in this way they work together as a team.

Annually a multi therapeutic team meeting is held to evaluate the achievements and the child's development and to plan ahead.

The social worker co-ordinates the services and makes the necessary arrangements for the child to receive specialised therapy - for instance psychological, occupational, psychiatric, medical, neurological and spiritual.

The management and the child and youth care workers ensure that the children's basic needs are met by making sure they have a safe house, food, clothes and education.

Schools

The pre-primary children attend the St. Mary's Pre-school, the primary children attend the Tjantjello Public School and the older children attend the Mamellang Thuto School.

Characteristics of the centre

The centre takes care of a large number of pre-primary and primary school children. A large number of the children is HIV positive or have AIDS. There are children who receive anti-viral treatment.

Most of the children are orphans or abandoned. Therefore much effort is put into programs during school holidays. At present there are only 2 out of 24 children who regularly visit their families during holidays. The congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church put in a lot of effort to provide holiday programs and to finance outings for the children.

The centre is situated on a large site and is beautifully taken care of. It is a paradise for the children. There are different kinds of apparatus for the children to play on as well as lawns, trees and a soccer field.

The centre also has its own vegetable garden. They like to grow spinash and sweet potatoes.

A large number of volunteers take good care of the centre. The love of God is been transferred and made real to the children.

Religion

All the children attend Kgotsong Methodist Church which is also the church of the child care worker. Angi, a 20-year volunteer from the Kingdom Gospel Ministries International, visits the centre 3 times a week for a spiritual group. Because she is still young, she has the ability to make very good contact with the children. Pastor Gaum from the Immanuel Church also comes to the centre every Sunday afternoon for a prayer meeting with the children.

Possible ways how the community can get involved and help the centre

Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. You can contribute in one of the following ways:

• Donations of clothes for the children
• Transport of children to school, clinic, hospital and shopping centres
• Literacy material like old books, magazines
• Games like puzzles, board games – anything the children can amuse themselves with.
• Apparatus like swings, sand-pit, trampoline, soccer equipment, dolls and little cars.
• There is a great need for activities and funds to be utilised during holiday times since a growing number of children stay in the youth care centre for holidays.
• Cash donations are also welcome. This money will be used to enhance the budget and to buy necessary goods.
• Sponsor a child’s school necessities and toiletries.
• Sponsor a child’s therapy at a professional therapist.
• Sponsor a child that needs specialised medical attention like orthodontics and spectacles.
• Any in kind donations are welcome.
• Assistance with the upgrade of the youth care centre by your knowledge, financial or physical help.
• A handyman is needed for smaller repairs to the building.

Professional persons can also get involved at the youth care centre by donating their time to the youth care centre. They can get involved in the following manner:

• Involvement in the financial and child care committee.
• Hosting of children for weekends and holidays – the persons must first be screened by a minister of a church and a social worker.
• To be a relieve child and youth care worker when the child and youth care worker attends educational courses.
• To render free medical and dental services, or occupational- or emotional therapy.

Motivation of the community to get involved

Thank you...
That you made Jesus visible to me
when you...
Fed me when I was hungry
Clothed me when I was naked
Gave me education - a chance in life
Warmth when I was cold
Compassion for a broken heart
that brought healing - deep inside
Parents that taught me the lessons of life
A blanket of safety to protect me from the world
You showed me the way to LIFE
You gave me Jesus
I will forever be grateful to you
and will be part of your reward!!
See you in Heaven!!

Postal Address:

P.O. Box 268
Bothaville
9660

E-mail: christa@vironskinders.org.za
Phone no.: 056-5152571
Fax: 056-5153990
Social workers office: Phone no.: 056-2134209

Street Address:

Seventh Avenue: 12
Nala
Bothaville
9660

Staff members:

Child care workers: Me. Magdalene Ndonga. Tel.: 073 649 0043. She and her husband are Sotho speaking and are a real asset to the youth care centre. Their love and caring for the children results in the children soon feeling secure and loved and helps them to adjust to living in the youth care centre. Me. Martha Dlamini. Tel.: 072 2774 612. A very special young lady who understands our children.

Relief child care worker: Me. Mirriam Ndonga. She also works as an extra assistant because of the number of the very young children. She has a special affinity for them.

Social worker: Me. Antoinette Bosman - Tel.: 056-2134209

Assistant: Me. Joyce Medi has to do all the cleaning and without her the centre could not function.

Garden assistant: Pieter Mangaye is responsible for the garden

Management:

Chairman: Dr. Pieter van Jaarsveld

Vice-chairperson: Rev. Nico van As

Finances: Mr. Willie Kruger

Mrs. Ina van Rensburg

Mr. Rikus Venter

Mr. M. Claassens

Ms. M. Nyaku

Ms. Karen Erasmus


Letter from a local volunteer

I’m Engy, 20 years old and a volunteer at Nala Re Thabile Youth Care Centre in Bothaville since April 2007. Through my presence I guide the children’s spiritual growth and teach them about life.

To let our children be filled with the Christmas spirit, we organised a Christmas party on the 26th of November 2007 with cakes, cookies and presents. It was overwhelming to see them so happy and appreciating what they were given.

What will a Christmas party be without a Christmas play? Thus we gave quite a performance on the Christmas play spicing it up with songs like “Silent Night” and “Mary Christmas” which made it a day to remember – even for the grown ups.

Stuffed with cookies and joy, the Christmas party might have come to an end that day, but the love and care the children receive in Nala, will continue.

It is like my second home and I want to thank Magdaline for being such a great mother to them. May God give her all the love and patience she needs for the children.

Thank you!
Engy


Letter from a chairperson

There are 24 children in Nala Re Thabile at present, ages varying from a few months old to 17 years. Most of these children were taken from homes where there had been abuse or where parents / grandparents are not capable of taking care of them.

The caretaker, me Magdeline Ndonga and her assistant, me Joyce Medi, have their hands full to care for these children. They are supported by a committee who specifically focus on the well being of these children. They perform under the supervision of a social worker. Locally the team functions under the chairmanship of me Engy Peteni from Khotsong.

Some of the children are traumatized. They need special care. Me Ndonga had to travel to Bloemfontein from time to time to bring these children under the treatment of people specialising in certain fields.

The board consists of 18 people from different backgrounds to fulfill certain duties or responsibilities.

The state subsidises the home. However, the subsidy can’t service the budget. Therefore the Board appeals to the community to get involved in this wonderful project from the people of Bothaville / Kgotsong. The home receives certain donations like food supplies and clothes but still needs a lot to pull through.

Dr Pieter van Jaarsveld (Chairperson)