Child and Youth Care | Page 2

Child and Youth Care

Children are often most severely affected by the consequences of the high rate of HIV infection. Many are orphaned and living with guardians and/or other family members. Woza Moya does not believe in removing children from their community of origin unless absolutely necessary, and works to help the children to stay in the community by supporting them and their primary caregivers in a number of different ways: psycho-social support which includes a programme called Thandanani Time which has been especially designed for orphans and their older caregivers (usually grannies); a School Support Programme is run in collaboration with 7 primary schools in the area; after school support groups for the most vulnerable children are run in the community.

Woza Moya facilitates Community Childcare Coalition Forums both locally and at a district level to address challenges facing orphaned and vulnerable children; a cross section of stakeholders working with children, provide local, appropriate, effective and sustainable support and solutions.

Nov

2006

Mhlonishwa Dlamini

Mhlonishwa is an 11 year old boy who began having pain in his back some years ago. This deteriorated until he could no longer walk. He was at Lusiba Primary School in Grade 2 at the time.

Nov

2006

Philile and Nokuzola Mbele

Philile and Nokuzola, 2 sisters of 15 and 6 years, lost both their parents in 2002 as a result of HIV and AIDS. They continued to live with their grandparents and uncle in Chibini. After her parents' death, Philile's uncle

Nov

2006

Ntombifuthi Mzobe

Our Woza Moya volunteer, Lungile Hlangu, alerted us to this case. Ntombifuthi of 6 years, had been sexually abused by many different men and had now stopped talking. She had apparently not spoken for 6 months. Fortunately, at the time, the Children's Rights Centre were doing a workshop in the community with us and we were able to follow their advice.

Nov

2006

Mongezi Dlamini

Mongezi is a young boy of 11 years who was born paralysed. When we first met Mongezi he was a shy and introverted child, having never attended school and been confined his entire life to the rondavel we found him in.

Nov

2006

Nonjabulo Dlamini

Nonjabulo is a young girl of 12 years old. As an infant, a drip was inserted incorrectly at Christ the King ( Ixopo ) hospital. This left her blinded in one eye. Her mother was ashamed of her daughter's appearance and abandoned her.

Jun

2006

Child Care Coalition Community Forum established

Woza Moya establishes a Child Care Coalition Community Forum in collaboration with World Vision.

Nov

2005

Thandanani time

A 12-week training programme for foster parents and the children under their care, is run with the first group of “gogos” (grandmothers). A very powerful psychosocial programme that has been expanded and added on to over the years at Woza Moya.

Dec

2004

Clowns without Borders begins partnership

Woza Moya begins its long-term partnership with Clowns Without Borders, who visit local primary schools and provide some much needed laughter and fun for the children.

Aug

2004

Star Ndlovu joins the Woza Moya team

A full-time seamstress, Star Fikelephi Ndlovu, is employed to make school uniforms for the School Support Programme.

Jan

2004

Children's Rights Centre

Woza Moya establishes a partnership with the Children’s Rights Centre in Durban and staff members receive ongoing training on issues affecting children.