What is the ‘Janelle huis’?
It is to provide a loving and safe haven for children in distress.
EVANDER- What is the true mission of Janelle Huis?
It is to provide a loving and safe haven for children in distress. In this case “children in distress” refers to children who had to be removed from their homes lawfully because of a variety of circumstances regarding abuse, molestation, rape, very bad neglect and/or abandonment. It offers a short-term opportunity of 90 days to recover before decisions concerning their future have to be made by the Court.
The Janelle Huis was the first house that was opened in February 2001 in the Teks Area. During the past few years, the house took in about 12 to 15 children per year.
Caregivers, under the supervision of Department of Social Development (DSD) have been apppointed to take care of the children daily, feeding and clothing them, taking them to school and loving them unconditionally. The original house has been enlarged with donations from the community, so that it can provide in the needs of 12 children.
Janelle Huis offers children an opportunity where their basic needs are met, their life skills can be developed, to have therapy with professionally trained people, to receive spiritual guidance, to attend school regularly and where the healing process can begin while decisions for their futures are being made.
Janelle Huis is managed by a managing board that consists of members from the local community with a passion for children in distress. The managing board is responsible for the management of the house, as well as fundraising projects and the provision of the basic needs of the children. DSD is a partner in this project and carries the responsibility to deliver professional social services and regulating the Court procedures.
When it comes to accommodation of the children, every child has their own bed, boys and girls have separate bathrooms and bedrooms, every child is provided with blankets, pillows, and nice bedding, and each room accommodates only up to four children.
In regards to admitting a child to Janelle Huis, there is a lot of critical documentation that has to be filled, like an approval of admission form has to be filled in by a social worker and signed by a caregiver, the rules for Sunday visits by parents or guardians has to be signed by parents or the social worker, and much more.
“At the Janelle huis we teach the children good manners, for example to say thank you, to respect each other, adults and caregivers. No swearing and/or fighting is allowed. We believe in lots of love, laughter, joy and dance. every child is taught the responsibility of apologizing.” says Ms Estelle Coetzee, secretary of the Janelle Huis.
The Janelle Huis accepts donations from anybody out of the community, clothes and shoes are sorted, then kept in crates and stored. “Keeping our children neat and well-dressed is at heart for us, we also foresee that every child gets their own toiletries.” says Ms Coetzee.
“In terms of dicipline and chores, we teach the children to keep the bathrooms, their bedrooms and their own bodies neat and to be proud of themselves. we have no tolerance for lying. No sleeping with others. Everybody needs to clean up after themselves, but older children make their own beds. On Fridays the school-going children are responsible for polishing their own school shoes for Mondays and with the help of the Caregiver clean and tidy up their School Bags and update all outstanding homework. Every child needs to pick up toys and rubbish at the end of the day. We teach them how to use a dustbin. And most times the children do the chores willingly.” Ms Coetzee added.
The Janelle Huis accepts food donations from anybody out of the Community. They prioritize in good, healthy meals.
So the true purpose of the Janelle Huis is to provide a loving and safe haven for children in distress.
