Relebohile Day Care Centre
The commitment to set up a new management structure for the Centre has been of great benefit to the children. There is much more care and support for those attending the Centre, especially for the very young. The management team, which is composed of black and white citizens from Tumahole and Parys, hired the services of a pre-primary school teacher who uses her experience in early childhood education and training to prepare these young children for high school.
By doing this, the Centre was able to establish a crèche. These children take part in a well-established learning programme. In addition, sufficient spare time is set aside for these children to play and rest, as it is crucial for their development – it goes without saying that this crèche service is subject to a charge. The funds received are earmarked for the support of orphans. Also, there are a variety of further leisure time activities taking place in the Centre, which includes a programme for young people to learn how to prepare meals, wash dishes and clean up after themselves.
The interior walls of the Day Care Centre have been adorned with paintings by the children themselves and photographs of activities they have been involved in. A relaxation space allows the teenagers to ‘chill out’. The outdoor area has been expanded with playground equipment and climbing frames. More recently, a ping-pong table and punch bag has been set up in the games area of the Centre and it is used by the kids every day.
While the Centre’s excellent work in terms of child care has become well-known throughout Tumahole, it is the educational project that will have a lasting impact on the children and the community. It has been set up to help the children with their school work by providing study guides, assistance with homework and English classes for those who need help. It also teaches them how to prepare themselves for third level education at local colleges and universities. A computer room is currently under construction so that older students can be become familiar with computers and the technology surrounding them.
During school holiday times, Weltwärts volunteers and others from the locality try to raise the awareness of the kids by involving them in activities and taking them on day trips, so that the children can have an insight to the world outside the township.
The Board of Directors and the Management have intensified their contact with the children’s guardians. Many orphans are living with older siblings or distant relatives, who regularly attend meetings at the Centre. By doing this, the families have the opportunity to get even more familiar with the Centre’s facilities and it gives the staff and management the opportunity to learn more about the children’s problems.
Representatives from the South African Police give talks to the children on how to protect themselves against criminals and abuse. Also, through the educational programme many local professionals such as lawyers, doctors, tax consultants, bankers and teachers provide information to the students about what skills and levels of achievements are required in their exams to enter the various professions.
Visitors to the Day Care Centre are always impressed by the range of activities that are available to the children. They see the creative work that they do, some paint, while others make bracelets or necklaces and some reuse materials such as paper and plastic to make bowls and containers.
Health education also plays an essential role in the Centre’s activities. A series of sex education talks are addressed to the girls, as the incidents of rape in the township are very high. All the children have the opportunity to be tested for HIV/AIDS free at a nearby clinic. Approximately 10% of those tested are HIV positive. Care assistants working at the Centre pay particular attention to children’s hygiene and take care that the boys and girls wash their hands before every meal and brush their teeth, as well as teaching them how to behave before, during and after meals.