Tutela needs volunteers to spread message of hope

The confusion as to which areas fall under the auspices of Tutela, Standerton and which under the SAVF, can be cleared up.

The Standerton Advertiser visited Tutela’s offices in Charl Cilliers Street on Tuesday, October 12 and spoke to their two social workers.

Former Capetonian, Mr Greg April and Ms Pumi Nkosi from Mahala Park, took time to highlight the organisation’s scope and needs.

Their focus areas are Wards 3 and 4, as well as Meyerville.

Communities of Azalea, Stanwest, Ext 1, TLC and RDP (on Thuto-Thebe Secondary School’s side) are serviced.

They did however, worked in mid-town at one stage.

Family care services include facilitating, supporting and coordinating aftercare social work, with the safeguarding of children of paramount importance.

Residential care for the elderly is another need in the community, with therapeutic services also offered.

Early Child Development (ECD) projects form part and parcel of giving children a healthy start in life.

“Service to the community and community involvement are critical,” Mr April commented.

Ms Nkosi is a born-and-bred Standertonian who firmly believes in giving back to society.

Her two children, Sikilela and Jabulo, attend Nyandeni Primary School, her former school.

Both social workers concurred that a social worker has to have certain characteristics, but conceded that some skills are learnt over time.

“The ability to distance yourself emotionally is important,” Mr April said.

“You have to protect yourself.”

Ms Nkosi shed some light on the involvement of the Department of Social Development and the Dutch Reformed Church.

Tutela was previously known as the Christelike Maatskaplike Raad (CMR).

Ms Nkosi pointed out that they are struggling with giving hope to those families dependent on food parcels.

Tutela is in dire need of volunteers, beginning with an administrative clerk to man the office.

Office duties will be the usual, answering the telephone, filing, making sure the printer does not run out of paper, all to give the social workers breathing space to concentrate on what they do best.

They are in the process of applying for funds to appoint a full-time administrator.

“We also need professional volunteers such as auxiliary workers,” Ms Nkosi said.

“Unemployed social workers can ease the burden.”

Tutela needs to be ‘out there’ to identify, assist and sometimes heal broken family structures.

Training will be given to volunteers when community outreach programmes need to be done.

“They won’t feel overwhelmed,” Mr April added.

Volunteers usually know the dynamics of their communities and are well suited to assist.

“We try to help everybody,” Ms Nkosi added.

She finds it most rewarding to see a smile on someone’s face after a problem has been dealt with.

Mr April was in full agreement.

The Standerton Advertiser also spoke to Ms Norma Smith, who is in charge of their secondhand shop.

Clothes for boys and men are needed, even baby clothes will not be sneered at.

Their telephone number has not changed and 017 712 71110 can be called for assistance with those things, that do not need to be shouted from the rooftops.

Financial contributions can be made to Absa, cheque account Tutela, number 1807 50037, branch code 632005.

“Time is money, does not count here,” was a keynote comment.