More improvements in the pipeline for iThemba
The iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre recently hosted their annual Stakeholders Breakfast for government officials and public service institutions, who have a hand in their success in supporting victims of trauma.
Vice-chairman of iThemba Carl Schultz opened the meeting, thanking these individuals.
“More than 40 per cent of people don’t feel safe in their homes at night,” he said.
“We would like to thank you for noticing that and attempting to make a difference.”
He encouraged them to maintain their good work, describing them as “little iThembas”.
“Thank you for taking up the calling God has put on your hearts,” he added.
Chief social worker Jath van der Westhuizen then addressed iThemba’s plans for the future.
The centre’s main mission is to re-establish a legal medical centre in Benoni.
“It must be accessible to everybody; I am working with the relevant stakeholders to make this possible.”
Another improvement in the pipeline includes networking with churches and willing organisations to form a stronger force in the community, to identify its needs and meet them.
Van der Westhuizen also placed emphasis on training.
“The staff skills will be monitored and improved; we plan to develop staff and leadership skills to the highest quality,” he said.
“I see iThemba as the leading rape and trauma centre in Gauteng; providing emotional and spiritual support to those who are broken.”
He thanked the stakeholders and asked for their continuous support, stressing the vitality of their co-operation.
The function was attended by members of the Benoni and Etwatwa police stations, social workers, members of the Health Department, the Chaplain on Board Initiative, other NGOs, including Lifeline, Springscare and Trauma Support SA, board members of iThemba and individual helpers of the organisation.
Also attending the function was iThemba’s ambassador, Benoni singer and songwriter HunTer, who is in the process of producing a song inspired by iThemba.
They were thanked by the chairwoman of iThemba, Hema Pillay.
“Every victim is no longer a victim, because of iThemba; they are survivors,” she said.
Centre manager Natasha Zaayman added that the public’s generous donations to the centre are another of their biggest sources of support.
She thanked the community in general, as the centre is always in need of household items.
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