A home for pregnant teenage girls

Uitkoms Home for Girls in Observatory, established in 1944, is a place of love for girls who have not received love.

The home provides residential accommodation and care for pregnant teenage girls and vulnerable girls who have been referred by the courts.

It is a registered child and youth care centre that offers non-discriminatory service and protection to pregnant girls.

“The home gives residential care which includes provision and protection, nutrition, clothing, housing, school supplies, developmental programmes and therapeutic programmes,” said the home’s administration officer Yolanda Erasmus.

The developmental programme includes schooling at local schools and in the case of girls who cannot attend due to pregnancy or short-term care, Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) classes.

Also read: Uitkoms Home wishlist

“Life skills programmes, which are facilitated by the residential social worker, are provided as well as recreational activities to enhance social functioning and spiritual support as Uitkoms is a faith-based organisation.

“The therapeutic programme is facilitated by the internal social worker and it includes an individual development plan, counselling of each girl on a regular basis, statutory reports for each girl and tailor-made exit plans for each girl,” she said.

The home is subsidised by the Department of Social Development.

“The balance of the funding needs to be obtained from other sources.

“From an administrative point of view, it is possible to redirect funds to unavoidable costs such as utilities and rent if donations of the following goods are received:

• A commitment of 30 loaves of bread per week.

• Fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Non-perishable foods such as maize meal, maize rice and pasta.

• Toiletries such as bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo.

• Cleaning materials.

“Our home has provided a valuable service to the community for many years and maintains its uniqueness in the care of pregnant teenage girls. We would like to continue well into the future, being available to assist vulnerable teenage girls to take back their lives and become productive self-sustaining future citizens,” she said.

Those who would like to assist the home can contact Yolanda Erasmus on 011 487 0357 or admin@uitkoms.org.za