TAT children to have a new home
It takes a village to raise a child – an African proverb – and one the NPO can proudly say they are doing as they house 56 children.
The Almond Tree (TAT) did not allow Covid-19 to stop them from building permanent residential cluster homes and a primary school for their children.
It takes a village to raise a child – an African proverb – and one the NPO can proudly say they are doing as they house 56 vulnerable children.
“Older siblings were admitted so as not to separate families and this was where TAT moved from baby care to a child and youth care centre,” said the home’s development manager, Zina Rotherham.
TAT began as a temporary place of safe care for vulnerable babies from the ages of newborn until 18 months, providing an environment where each baby is valued as a member of the family.
Rotherham said several of their children have stayed for years and TAT then realised it is their responsibility to guide the youngsters into adulthood.
The residential clusters that are being built will house about 288 children.
“Each cluster has eight houses and each will house six children, maximum, with a house mother or house parents,” Rotherham explained.
The NPO is in the process of building six clusters (consisting of the eight houses each) on the premises at Three Fifth Road, Van Ryn Small Holdings.
“We are hoping to complete the clusters by March,” Rotherham said.
“Each house will cost an estimate of R45 000 and we want to have a house mother or house parents because it still gives the children a homely sense.”
TAT is also building a primary school for the children on the premises that is owned by the NPO’s main partner, the Jeanette Stuart Foundation.
There are several organisations involved in ensuring the NPO functions to the best of their ability and the team is grateful for the community and all the partners involved in supporting them.
“We are taking it one step at a time, and we welcome and appreciate any and all donations, whether it is for the babies, the clusters or the school,” she said.
“We are asking the community to be a part of something that is intended to benefit children for a lifetime.”
During the lockdown, the home took in nine newborn babies, so assistance and donations are always needed.
“I am launching a campaign called the TAT Nappy Gang,” Rotherham said.
“The aim is to have women on a WhatsApp group who are willing to buy a pack of nappies or two for the babies whenever we need some.”
Rotherham provided a list of some of the items they are in need of:
Currently
• Groceries (oats, pap, soup, peanut butter, jam, oil and tomato sauce)
“Our children get three cooked meals and two snacks daily,” she explained.
• Nappies and formula
Clusters
• Furniture, linen, curtains, blinds, kitchenware, hangers and double beds.
School
• Educational development resources
• Books
• Reading Scheme for juniors
• Desks, chairs, whiteboards, playground equipment and motorskill resources.
For more information on how to help the NPO, contact Rotherham on 065 300 2601.
“I will be more than happy to show sponsors around should they make an appointment,” she said.
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