Local children’s home grateful and hopeful

Yenzani Children’s Home based in Midrand has faced a number of challenges due to the lockdown but continues to operate to provide a safe haven for children.

The home was established in 2002 by businesswoman Sanne Mirk after she had worked as a volunteer at other children’s homes. She was increasingly concerned about the number of children who returned to abusive homes.

Through meetings with the Child Protection Unit of the South African Police Service and the Department of Social Development, she was able to secure a house to establish Yenzani. The home cares for children aged four to 17.

Mirk said the Covid-19 pandemic had affected their organisation in a huge way, with donors and companies under financial stress and unable to spare funding for the home. “Our staff having to teach the children when schools were closed as government schools did not send school work or have virtual learning, was tough indeed,” she said.

“We only had three staff members on duty and office staff had to work remotely. No visitors and volunteers were allowed to visit and help. We sent many newsflashes to our donors asking for financial [aid], medical [supplies], personal protective equipment, food and cleaning goods.”

Mirk said the Midrand community and some local schools were fantastic and had delivered food, personal protective equipment and all sorts of donations that kept their spirits up and helped them through.

“We even had two large washing machines donated during lockdown and delivered to our door,” Mirk added.

“Right now we need funding for school shoes, books, uniforms and fees, food vouchers for Pick n Pay, medicine vouchers for Dis-Chem, financial donations for day to day running of the home and a services handyman.”

Details: For more information on how to help the Yenzani Childrens Home, contact 074 886 0261 or email sanne@yenzani.org