Children’s Home in the heart of the Karoo

GRAAFF-REINET - Vuyani Safe Haven, recently conducted their annual general meeting at THREE 16 Café at the Freedom Church. The annual financial dtatement done by GBG Group Accountants was presented by Ampie Jordaan, the vicechair of the Vuyani Board. He stressed the remarkable achievement of the house purchased for the older children with Lotto funding.

Vuyani is a registered Child and Youth

Care Centre (Children’s Home) in GraaffReinet, providing safety and care for children in need.

Elaine Stanley, Chairperson of the

Vuyani Board, called her report an exciting task, touching on the many wonderful achievements, blessings, and exciting developments during the last year. She expressed gratitude for every kind act or gift which gives the children the message that they matter, that they are seen.

She highlighted the following:

Five of Vuyani’s Caregivers studying through CEFA to obtain their Child and Youth Care Worker certification, funded by the DG Murray Trust.

Holistic therapeutic programs, funded partly by the Department of Social

Development and new funding from the Rupert Education Foundation, supporting Vuyani’s children with developmental challenges.

Funding through KFC’s Add Hope program, as well as through the local KFC branch, help to ensure that Vuyani’s children receive a balanced diet.

Garry Kingwill donated 25 beautifully hand-knitted teddies and spent precious time with the children.

Dr Beukes and his team at Dentists@ Health, gave Vuyani’s 33 children a thorough dental check-up and afterwards attended to all dental issues. The same caring team donated towards school clothing and stationery.

Through outings to Samara Karoo

Reserve and the Camdeboo National Park the children learned about interacting with nature and our environment.

Volunteers accompanying Vuyani’s children on the parkrun are teaching them about the importance of exercise and fresh air.

The Freedom Church has given Vuyani’s children opportunities to get involved, one even in a leader’s position.

Two teachers from Switzerland, Brigitte Burkhart and Kirsten Schön, volunteered at Vuyani’s Learning Centre in April and brought a new dimension of fun and learning to the children with the assistance of Vuyani’s remedial teachers, Betty Swartz and Hettie Pienaar.

Elaine thanked the Board for the time and effort they invest in Vuyani and emphasised the need for support from the community.

“We are always in need of volunteers and will appreciate the involvement of the community.”

In thanking the staff of Vuyani, Elaine said the following: “You are our biggest asset, and we value the time, effort, and enthusiasm with which you do your work. We are grateful that you bring your hearts to your work, that you love the precious children while you take care of them. We know that our children would not be who they are, achieve what they do, without the genuine care and compassion that you deposit in them.”

Long-service awards were presented to Racheal Jantjies, caregiver - 5 years, Eden du Plessis, caregiver - 10 years and Hildegarde Brummer, manager - 10 years.

Elaine emphasised that the storyline of Vuyani changed when Hildegarde applied for the position of social worker in 2012.

“Hildegarde had worked at Child Welfare and had the experience and qualification perfect for Vuyani. But it does not stop there – it’s her heart for people and her wisdom, passion and focus that makes the difference – with the children, but also with the team that she leads.

Her team knows that she has their back, that nothing is too much for her, and that she cares for them. This is evident from the stability of the staff at Vuyani – something so important for these children who knew nothing of stability before coming to Vuyani.”