The drop-in centre, operating from a village called Benfarm, was established in February 2005 by group of women who offering home-based care services. While visiting door-to-door, the women realised that many households were headed by children whose parents were ill or deceased.
They identified a need to rescue those children, and the drop-in-centre was formed. Due to no form of funding, the women agreed to charge a R50 joining fee, as well as pay R80 a month out of their own pocket to help keep the centre in operation.
Programmes
Awareness activities programme: This programme aims to create awareness in the community on health issues like HIV/AIDS, STDs, and drug and alcohol abuse. They also encourage the youths to attend school and participate in sports to keep busy.
Life skills programme: Staff help youngsters realise their dreams and encourage them to attend school. They also award attendance certificates to boost the morale of the attendees and motivate them to continue.
Farming project: This programme helps the community start small gardens in their backyards by supplying seeds and the necessary skills awareness. The centre also runs their own farm, cultivating maize to help the community.
Orphanage and vulnerable children programme: The centre helps orphaned and vulnerable children acquire birth certificates that will enable them to obtain social grants and attend school.
Home-based care programme: Staff embark on home visits to check on families of very sick people to monitor their progress. Staff also ensure they take their medication and are being taken care of in terms of personal hygiene.
Fundraising projects programme: The centre facilitates the coming together of disabled persons, HIV/AIDS victims, the unemployed and senior citizens to raise funds by making beads, sewing clothes, making jam and peanut butter as well as carpets. They also offer a catering service and are often hired by government departments to cater for functions.
Staff
The centre employs 13 caregivers who receive stipend, and 15 volunteers who do not get any form of payment due to lack of funding.
Funders / donors
They are currently being subsidised by the Department of Social Development.
In the past they received a donation of R1 000 from FNB, and agricultural equipment and seeds to the value of R20 000 from the Kruger National Park.
Challenges
One of the main challenges at the onset was that many children did not have birth certificates. This prevented them from being able to enrol at schools or apply for social grants.
Even some of the children’s parents did not have ID numbers, which made it difficult for them to get employment, apply for RDP housing or social grants for their children.
Contact details
Contact person: Mrs JT Baloyi
Position: Project Manager
Mobile number: 083 6953 693
Physical address: Stand number 263, Benfarm, Ward 14
Postal address: PO Box 44, Majenje, Namakgale, 1391
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