Help restore children’s home to former glory

THE Ethelbert Child and Youth Centre has been a beacon of hope, and a place to call home, for many children for the past 107 years. It now needs the community’s help to restore the facility to its former glory.

“Due to the lack of funding in these difficult economic times, we are appealing to companies and the public to come forward and become involved in the restoration of our beloved establishment. We have, and continue to be, the constant, loving support behind many a child’s inspirational development,” said Cheryl Grundle, public relations officer at the home.

The home is both a care facility and a place of safety that currently looks after 65 children who have been removed from their parents because of sexual and or physical abuse, neglect, abandonment and those orphaned because of HIV/AIDS.

The main priority at Ethelbert is to break the cycle of abuse by providing the children with a stable and loving environment by offering them counselling and therapeutic support. “This helps them overcome the terror and abuse they have suffered so that they can regain their self-respect and their confidence to achieve their dreams,” said Cheryl.

The home consists of six cottages, each of them housing 12 children and two child care workers. “Ethelbert can care for a maximum of 65 children, though this number often differs due to the placement of children with rehabilitated parents or foster/adoptive parents,” said Cheryl.

The Highway Mail urges the community to support the ongoing project by donating their time or services. Contact the Ethelbert Child and Youth Centre on 031 464 6555 or email pro@ethelbert.co.za.

What the home needs:

The roof needs repairs on all cottages

Trusses need repair and painting

Gutters and down pipes need to be cleaned out, repaired and painted

Upholstery and mattresses need steam cleaning

New beds

Curtain rails are needed

Mirrors need to be replaced

Skirting boards need repairs, replacing or repainting

Cupboard handles need replacing

Light fittings are needed

Each of the cottages need a set of 12 teaspoons

Fire extinguishers need to be mounted onto the walls

Emergency lights in the cottages need to be repaired

Bedrooms need to be repainted

Floors need to be repaired

Bathrooms in Highbury, Trenow and the Silverton cottages need to be renovated

The Grace cottage needs new curtains for the lounge dining room and bedroom as well as light switch covers, duvet cover and a showerhead

The Highbury cottage needs a set of 12 forks and a bookshelf

The sewerage pipes outside the cottages need repairs

Each cottage needs a five piece pot set with lids

The main kitchen needs to be renovated and a new gas stove is needed.

The storeroom needs shelving, baskets, a labelling and inventory system and a volunteer to help set up (once-off) the storeroom.

Non-slip walkway flooring needs repairs

All outer walls need repainting

The media centre needs to be restored

The main entrance, delivery entrance and the emergency exit need re-tarring

The ceilings are damp and need to be redone

Looking to set up a therapy room for anger management (punching bag, gym equipment)

The upper playground area needs to be renovated and repainted