The Domestic Watch programme is part of the Making A Difference campaign, headed by Penny Steyn.
Bonnie Friedman of Sun Valley runs the programme and has a regular group of domestic workers who attend the campaign.
The topic for March is Holiday season. Steyn said, “With all the upcoming holidays within the next two months we definitely need to have a very good look at this topic because many [domestic workers] are going to be left to take care of properties and many will be travelling. This lesson is filled with very important and relevant information specifically to any holiday season when often crime tends to peak.”
The lesson will showcase what should be done to ensure homes are not vulnerable to crime and how those travelling can protect themselves and their belongings.
“Equally important is that employers must empower their staff to take care of themselves and their homes in their absence. Often our homeowners don’t know how to instruct their staff on what to do or not to do, so this is a good time to remind them of all essential and some very clever tricks to outwit those that are determined to destroy our lives,” said Steyn.
She said the campaign was a real force to be reckoned with and crime had been radically reduced in areas where the programme was run and well-attended. Any of Midrand’s domestic workers are welcome to the Sun Valley programme.
The meeting will be held at La Fiorentina restaurant on the corner of Bridle Pass Road and Champion Road at 11am on 20 March.
Steyn said, “The biggest problem the police have is a lack of information. The programme takes domestics through the process of reporting crime and what to do in a crime situation.”
At the Sun Valley Domestic Watch meeting last month, Captain Lionel Chetty, Captain Martin Hulk and Constable Thari Maelane attended the meeting to issue safety tips to the domestic workers.
Details: Penny Steyn, madpenny@absamail.co.za or bonnie.friedman.home@gmail.com
