Vosloorus NPO helps children improve social behaviour

Sikhula Sonke NPO kick-started Mandela Month celebrations with a Winter Seminar for Youth and Children (WSYC) at J Dumane Hall, Vosloorus, on July 13.

A cleaning campaign where the children will clean the homes of unprivileged people will follow.

Sikhula Sonke caters for children from poverty-stricken and child-headed families.

Duduzile Lukhele started it in 2008, but it officially became an NPO in 2010.

Its executive committee includes project manager Lukhele, treasurer Khanyisile Ngobese, Nontobeko Mathuthu, and volunteers Amandla Mdontsela, Themsile Mthombeni and Nyanedi Nothando.

According to Lukhele, the purpose of the WSYC was to teach children about social behaviour and help boost their self-esteem.

The Amandla Foundation from Ext 2, Vosloorus, joined the beneficiaries of Sikhula Sonke. A GBV specialist, Thandi Mashinini from Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre’s J Dumane branch, taught them about important issues.

They also enjoyed a fun-filled day with activities from Sarafina, a cultural dance, and memory thinking where the children were tested on general knowledge and plate up whereby the children had to find the hidden ingredients before cooking.

A 15-year-old beneficiary, Neo Mabaso, joined Sikhula Sonke in 2022. He said he has learnt there is a need for people to respect each other.

“I was taught to be confident for me to achieve my dreams. We also have a declaration programme where I was taught not to bully other children irrespective of what they have done wrong, but help them correct their mistakes,” said Mabaso.

Khanyisile Lukhele (15) said what she likes about the organisation is that it teaches them how to behave and about life, not just about academics. It guides them about general life challenges.

Another beneficiary, Mbalenhle Mthombeni (17) said her favourite game during the WSYC was plate up, where two groups had to cook.

The group of young stars said they reprimanded their peers when they noticed them ill-behaving, smoking or bullying others.

Lukhele said this is important because they usually have sessions every Saturday from 10:00 to midday, and for this event, a professional addressed them.

She said they take the children out of the classroom during the school holidays to have activities that help them refresh.

Although she was still employed, the NPO only held events during the festive season, given that they finance everything from their own pockets.

Background

Sikhula Sonke is a drop-in centre that provides basic services aimed at meeting the emotional, physical and social developmental needs of vulnerable children in the community. They have another branch at Thusong, Sunrise, Katlehong.

Their mission is to fight the impact of HIV/AIDS and poverty in the Ekurhuleni Region by providing programmatic care to support systems that address the short and long-term verifying needs of risky children and youth.

The programmes include psychosocial support and care, renovating vandalised properties, educational services, youth and child development, social behaviour change and sports and arts and culture services.