Centre is a haven for abuse survivors

THE SAARTJIE Baartman Centre for Women and Children yesterday celebrated the start of Women’s Month by hosting an open day.

For 17 years, the Athlone centre has provided services for woman and children from across Cape Town and as far as Stellenbosch.

It is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. It offers them a safe and secure space, and a helps create a human rights culture for those who enter its doors.

Guests yesterday were invited to light a candle in remembrance of those who lost their lives to gender-based violence

Kate (not her real name) was one of the first survivors to receive treatment at the centre’s substance abuse unit, which opened last year.

She said she did not know what would have happened had she not received help.

“I was in an abusive marriage, used drugs to numb the pain and because of my children I came to the Saartjie Baartman Centre.

“The centre saved my life and, because of of it, I was selected to participate in the soap-making and training hub project,” she said.

Kate said she was one of five participants to benefit from the project and mastered the production of liquid organic soap, and was part of their new venture, The African Violets: Women in the Making.

The project was made possible as a result of the centre partnering with the Mhani Gingi Trust, funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands.

The centre relies predominantly on partnerships and donations to keep its services functional.

The services offered include childcare, a 24-hour emergency shelter, counselling, mental health services and early childhood development educational services.

On average, the centre accommodates about 100 women and children at any one time.

Centre director Shaheema McLeod said: “The candles were for the few women who we have lost through gender-based violence and we are giving extra focus on them today.

“What (is needed) is a commitment from the leadership, from our leaders, to create a strategic developmental plan to end gender-based violence.”

Those who require assistance or wish to contact the Saartjie Baartman Centre can call 021 633 5287 or visit saartjiebaartmancentre.co.za.

Picture: HENK KRUGER RISING PHOENIX: Anicke Kleinhans is one of the many success stories of the Saartjie Baartman Centre. She was abused and became involved in drugs, but today she is one of the centre’s staff members.