Host a child from St Monica’s
Children’s home appeals to community to consider making a difference in the lives of these children
ST Monica’s Children’s Home on the Bluff’s Marine Drive appeals to the community to make difference in the life of a child by hosting them.
Hosting a child involves giving of your time and energy in caring for a child for a day, a weekend or longer, if you are in a position to do so.
All prospective host families are screened according to legislation to ensure their suitability to care for the child.
St Monica’s Children’s Home is a non-profit, non-government residential facility which falls under the auspice of the Anglican Diocese of Natal. The centre cares for children from vulnerable backgrounds throughout the province of KZN.
The home originally opened its doors in 1985 as a heaven of refuge to defenceless little children who had no means of support and were at risk on the street. They provide residential care and therapeutic programmes to 84 children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused in the care of their families or found to be in need of care by a court of law.
Girls are accommodated from 3 to 18-years-old and boys from three to 12-years. The children are from diverse cultural backgrounds and race groups and have endured traumatic experiences and faced tough issues, some at very tender ages.
They deal with intense rejection which often results in them questioning their self-worth. Through the daily support and ongoing nurturing offered, St Monica’s offers each child a loving and protective environment and the opportunity to heal from painful experiences and persevere in their lives.
“However, home is where the heart is and every child yearns to belong to a nuclear family. Most of the children who reside here, visit their extended families and host families for the holidays and weekends,” said a spokesman. “However there are some children who do not have anywhere to go. They remain at the home over every weekend and school holiday. They have never enjoyed socialising with people other than the children and staff at the home.”
Anyone who would like to consider hosting a child can receive further clarity from social worker supervisor, Mrs S Ajodhia on 031-468-8656.
