Lend a helping hand to St Monica’s home
St Monica's Children’s Home management team has decided not to send children back to school but will instead continue with their school syllabus at the home.
SCHOOLS have re-opened and are progressively adjusting to the new normal. But what does this mean for children’s homes and welfare facilities which house large numbers of children on one premises?
Faced with the unique challenge of having children of various ages, who attend different schools, are each exposed to different environments throughout the day and return to one home – effective hygiene and contact control is almost impossible – St Monica’s Children’s Home director, Althea Govender and her management team were forced to make some tough decisions.
“The team felt that in view of high levels of Covid-19 and ensuring our children’s safety, we will not send our children to school but will instead continue with their school syllabus at the home. However, the matric learners were very concerned about their future and the Minister of Education insisted that we de-register them and apply for home-schooling. This is quite a process and hence a decision was made to rather send only matrics back,” she said.
She assured that staff and children are all adhereing to strict hygiene routines and maintaining social distancing. Children are still continuing with the home-based classes at the home, keeping up with their academic work according to the syllabus.
One of the home’s social workers, Sarisha Palavar shared on the unique experience and challenges of working during the pandemic: “The children are resilient and for the most part understand the danger with regard to the virus. They are concerned about their families and their safety, not only from the virus, but also their families’ ability to obtain food and water as many people were left without work during the lockdown. We have ensured that the children are able to contact their families as often as possible to ease their concerns. Social distancing has proved a very difficult new social behaviour to learn, as we work with children who crave physical affection such as a reassuring hug. Our new normal has been difficult however we are all trying to do our best to serve our children.”
St Monica’s has unfortunately had to cancel all their events and planned fundraisers for the year, which has negatively the home. “We still require more cloth masks and hand sanitisers, as well as financial support, although the economy is hard hit and has affected our regular donors and their giving which we understand. Donations of detergents such as bleach, pie gel and mutli-purpose cream cleaner and toiletries for our children will be welcomed. We are refraining from going out all the time in efforts to avoid possible contact with the virus to ensure safety to our children.
To make a donation or for more information contact Althea Govender on 031-468-8656 or email althead@stmonicas.org.za.
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