Home for vulnerable children appeals for help

FOR more than a century, St Monica’s Children’s Home has aimed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children.

While the home, which is a registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation, has been successful in its endeavour, it faces financial challenges as it too is affected by the rising cost of living.

The home was originally named St Cyprian’s Mission, was opened in 1895 and operated from a shack in Umgeni Road in central Durban.

It was founded by Miss Snell, a missionary from the Anglican Church, who undertook the task of providing a secure environment and a brighter future to a growing number of young girls who were abandoned by their family members and were found living on the streets.

However, this year marks 50 years since the organisation moved to its current premises in Treasure Beach.
Althea Govender, the director of the home, said they can house 84 children from across the province.  The home takes in girls from ages three to 18, and boys from ages three to 12.

She said the home has six cottages, and there are 19 carers who work different shifts.

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Govender said the home provides a safe environment and care for these children, who have been abandoned, orphaned or removed from their families due to severe neglect and/ or abuse.

“Our objectives are to cater for the physical needs of our children, to render social work interventions and provide therapeutic programmes to facilitate the emotional and psychological healing process of the children. We also aim to develop self-esteem in children through life-skills programmes and provide social and recreational programmes among others” she said.

Govender said their ultimate goal is to reunite the children with their families.

“While some have been reunited successfully, we have some children that have been here for years because nothing has improved in their homes. We don’t ever ask them to leave, even if they finish school.

“However, we urge them to pursue their tertiary studies and we often apply for bursaries for them. I can proudly say that three of our girls who obtained bachelor passes in matric last year are pursuing further studies this year. We are quite proud of them,” she said.

Govender said the children are taught life skills while at the home such as learning how to cook, clean and sew.
“We want them to be able to do these things when they go out into the real world and are able to stand on their own two feet.

“They also get to do fun things that children enjoy such as playing outside, kicking a ball around, or watching TV shows and movies. We also have people that visit at the weekends to celebrate an occasion and they provide a meal and fun activities for the children,” she said.

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Govender said while they do receive donations at times, and some funding from the Department of Social Development, they were still struggling.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to have any fundraising events at the home, as it poses a risk to the children. We rely on the generosity of the community, who have been wonderful over the years. We have had people take on projects at the home such as connecting our two jojo tanks.

“However, one of our greatest costs is food, which is about R70 000 a month. Our toiletries bill is about R 8000. We also use a lot of household products. Our utility bill is between R85 000 and R90 000 a month, which we have to pay,” she said.

Govender said the home was also in need of a serious revamp.

“We don’t have money to do any extra maintenance. Every week there is something that needs to be replaced or fixed, such as our geysers. We also just had to repair our fire panel in the kitchen which cost a lot. We have broken windows and doors, as well as walls that need painting but there is no money. The list is endless.

“We are appealing to the community who have been generous all these years, to please continue to help us, and allow the children to have the comfort that they all need,” she said.

If you would like to assist the home, call 031468 8656 or email admin@stmonicas.org.za or vijeep@stmonicas.org.za.

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