Meet the staff at St Mary’s
Meet the people who work behind the scenes at St Mary’s Children’s Home.
ST MARY’S Children’s Home was started in 1902 and has grown considerably over the years. It’s situated in Rosettenville at 42 Zinnia Street and is home to 62 children. For 115 years the home has been rendering a holistic, effective service providing a safe, secure home and therapeutic environment for children from families in crisis. Phone 011 435 3820.
Many of you may have read about the home and the children, but do you know the people who work behind the scenes?
The Comaro CHRONICLE took the opportunity to catch up with the staff.
Sonja Harmse (director of the children’s home):
Shas been here for 19 years, and for as long as she can remember she has loved children. “I fell in love with St Mary’s when I was offered the position as assistant director in 1998. I accepted it with joy and in 2000 I was appointed director of the home. I believe it is my purpose in life to make a difference in the lives of children,” says Sonja. “Being able to do that in my current position fills me with an inner sense of well-being, as it is exactly where I belong and I believe it is where God wants me to be. The children become mine – their successes my joy, their hurts my concern, their weaknesses my challenge, and their suitcases for life my responsibility to fill with whatever they may need for their journey of life.”
Assistant director Hilario Zimudzi:
He has been at the home for seven years and looks after all the children’s needs directly. He began as a social worker before becoming senior social worker. Hilario deals with the more challenging situations with the children. He works directly through the children’s families and volunteers, and liaises with the Social Development and Education departments. He interacts with the Child Protection Organisation, which deals with child reunification, and when applicable he works with Sonja on community integration and finding a place for the children to live once they are ready for independent living. Hilaro and Shané Conley often work together with co-therapy for the children. “I’d like to think I’m here for the long term,” says Hilario. His wife is also a social worker and he is father to two boys and a girl. The children in St Mary’s are very fond of him, he is a father figure to them, and he is often called out after hours to help care for them.
Social worker Shané Conley:
She has been at the home for close on three years. “I’ve always had a passion for children and therapy itself, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to be here,” says Shané. “Many of the children are emotionally challenged, and I counsel them either individually or in groups depending on their needs. My job also involves quite a bit of admin, and I am responsible for renewing court orders and making sure there is legal placement for each child.” Shané also liaises with hosts and volunteers, and checks out all the feedback forms which come back after a child has been with a host or a volunteer. “I’d like to be here long term, although sometimes it’s tough on a personal level and takes a lot of time away from my husband and baby girl of eight months, I feel quite torn at times. I love all the children very much and have got to know them all so well.”
Louisa Engelbrecht:
She has been at the home for eight years. She supervises the laundry and kitchen, organises casual clothing and school uniforms for the children, and organises birthdays for the children and staff. She’s more or less involved in everything, including receiving donations that are made to the home, checking food deliveries to the kitchen as well as sorting out second-hand clothing and toys donated to the home. “I also assist Sonja to make her load lighter, and my dream is to become Sonja’s PA. I can’t imagine my life without St Mary’s in it, and once a member always a family member here,” says Louisa. Known fondly by her nickname Lala, she comes to everyone’s assistance and is well loved at St Mary’s.
Receptionist Nthabi Moilwa:
She has worked here for eight years and is also the office administrator, handing out stationery to the children when necessary, as well as taking responsibility for photocopying, filing and referring visitors to the home to the person they wish to meet. Nthabi also takes messages for Sonja and phones around suppliers for the best available prices, as the home has a restrictive budget. As ‘front of house’ she makes guests feel comfortable while they wait to see Sonja or the therapists. “I really enjoy my job, although it’s quite challenging at times. I love the children and enjoy having fun with them. I like to think I’m their big sister, so sometimes I have to put them in their place,” she laughs.
Deon Henningse:
This is newest member of the St Mary’s family, is assistant director of operations and HR, and also looks after the premises, takes care of swimming pool problems, maintenance and security, and handles the transport fleet. He’s a healthy male role model for the children and gets on well with all of them. “By the grace of God I believe He put me here for a purpose,” says Deon. “The children treat me like a father, and they all just want to be loved and get some attention. I’ve received more hugs in the five months I’ve been here than I’ve had in my life! When I’m not here there’s a missing link and I miss them all.”
Jennie Nel:
She has been nurse at St Mary’s for nine years and looks after the children on the medical side, distributing medicine as and when they need. “Their medication needs to be very precise, especially for those on antiretrovirals, they have to be taken at the same time each and every day,” she says. Jennie can be commended on her administration of this treatment, as it’s been noted the children taking this medication under her supervision are in excellent health. She heads up the sick bay, where sick children go so the others don’t become infected. She’s always ready to lend a helping hand if the staff are sick, and she accompanies the children on visits to the doctor or the hospital. She keeps check on the medicine cupboard and is very quick to ask for medication when the government hospitals run out so the children don’t go without. “All the children have a very special place in my heart,” she says. Unfortunately, Jenni is leaving the home at the end of January and will be sorely missed.
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