Sizanani, South Africa

In South Africa, many children have lost their parents due to aids. They grow up with their grandmother or just with their brothers and sisters. The programmes of KidsRights partner St. Joseph's Care and Support Trust at Sizanani Village, near Johannesburg, provide direct support which is tailored to aids-related orphans and vulnerable children. It is a community based care programme. This means that the children are living with relatives or host families within their own community; where the children are most comfortable.

Annually more than 1.000 children receive assistance from St. Joseph's, which supports them in their basic needs so that they can look up to a better future. By helping children within the community, the social ties with other people in that community and the family remain intact. The children actually function as normal as possible; they sleep at home and go to school. St. Joseph's supports children and families in various aspects of life. The support is centered around psycho-social services, educational support, health care and nutrition.

Psycho-social services

For those children who, following the death of a parent, suffer from a trauma, depression or great sorrow, creative memory books are a good form of bereavement counseling. Children meet in groups to discuss important topics such as hiv and aids, child protection and relationships. Trips and youth camps are organised to help children strengthen their self-esteem and develop a feeling of security and also to let them know that they are loved and special.

Educational support

St. Joseph's provides, where necessary, school supplies such as stationery and school uniforms. Children who have difficulty in learning receive homework support after school in one of the community centers. Children also help each other with their homework. An important part of the educational support is the school visits conducted by social workers from St. Joseph's. During these visits, information about the situation of children is gathered and shared with the necessary people. Teachers and the supporting staff keep track of the children and will inform St. Joseph’s when they think a child needs additional support.

Healthcare

The healthcare programme focuses on children with hiv and aids. The main goal of the programme is to provide children with access to healthcare and the physical condition of the children is monitored. To achieve this goal, qualified health workers visit the children at their homes. During these visits living conditions are assessed and advice on hygiene, nutrition and general living conditions is provided. Also, children are checked regularly for their physical development and intake of medicines. If necessary, children are referred to the appropriate authorities for further treatment.

Nutrition

To give the children a nutritious meal, kitchens have been set up in the community centers. All children who go to school and are in the programme of St. Joseph’s receive a daily warm meal after school. For many of the children, this is the only meal of the day. Where necessary, additional food packages are made available to households. Foster parents and other people from within the community play an important role in caring for the children; they cook the meals and pick up the children after school.

KidsRights supports a part of the running costs of Sizanani. KidsRights does this in cooperation with partner Wilde Ganzen. Wilde Ganzen adds a substantial premium to the results of the fundraising of KidsRights which enables KidsRighs to achieve more together, for the vulnerable children in South Africa.