In reference to the issue of begging and vagrants in the Glenwood area, which is of great concern to residents, I CARE representatives were the guest speakers at this week's Bulwer Community Safety Forum meeting.
Anne Slatter from I Care addressed residents, informing them about what the NPO does to help street children in Durban.
The organisation has been active since 2002 and Anne said there are fantastic outreach workers who go out and try build up a relationship of trust with children begging on the streets.
“The main reasons they are there is because of poverty or abuse at home. Each one has a story. The outreach workers get in, win their trust and work with them at the drop-in centre in Greyville. They then go to rehab, which is a restoration centre where these little people are restored, rebuilt and renewed. They are then reunited with their families if possible, or moved to one of the three houses we have in lower Illovo until placements can be made,” she said.
Anne said some of these boys are between 19 to 22 years old, but look around 14 or 16.
“We don't ignore the public's calls, we do what we can to help. We work with the Dennis Hurley Centre, which helps with the older youths,” she said.
I Care relies on donations, with 30 per cent of its funding coming from the government.
“We have great success stories, such as Michael and Skhumbuzo, who have gone through our system and made something of their lives,” she said.
Michael Mdlalose spoke at the meeting about how I Care took him from the street, where he was begging, and gave him a place to stay.
He went through the system and made a success of himself. He is now working at a BMW agent in Durban, learning to work with BMW engines.
Skhumbuzo Zulu said I Care took him from the streets and he went through the system successfully.
“I learnt a lot and now I have my own car wash,” he said.
I Care assisted him in owning his own 'eco' car wash at North Beach.
Jabulani Mbambo, I Care outreach and aftercare specialist, who is a mentor to the boys, said they had been through a lot and had gone a long way to get where they are.
“People judge these boys – they come from poverty and dysfunctional families, or are orphans, and it is not easy. When they see help, some of them grab it with both hands. We help them as much as we can, so they can become effective members of their communities. We urge people not to give them money, as they don't buy food, they use it to buy substances to abuse,” he said.
Chairperson of the Bulwer Community Safety Forum, Heather Rorick, said she encouraged residents to take heed of this.
“Together with Wayne Grundy from Save Our Berea, we have tried to come up with a solution as everyone is complaining about beggars in the area. We have designed a pamphlet to discourage giving to beggars, and to rather donate to I Care. This has received interest from the Tourism Board and we will be meeting with Safer Cities soon to role this out,” she said.
She said crime had definitely increased in the area, and encouraged people to rather be aware than to have a false sense of security.
“Fence hopping has increased in the area between 2am and 6.30am. Hijacking and theft out of motor vehicles is also a problem, especially outside the local hospitals. Do not leave valuables in your car. People living on the third and upper floors of buildings should also not leave windows open at night as criminals will get in,” she said.
