South Africa – SOS Social Centres

In South Africa there are currently 11 Social Centres for children and the local community, including those in: Nelspruit, Cape Town, Mthatha, Mamelodi and Ennerdale.  Many SOS Social Centres operate via Family Strengthening Programmes, which aim to support the wider community.  Below is some information about some of the Social Centres that SOS Children runs in South Africa:

SOS Social Centres around South Africa: In-Depth

Ennerdale

Description of SOS Social Centre/FSP:

An SOS Social Centre was set up in June 2000, comprising a clinic, a day-care centre and an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. The clinic offers treatment to up to 2,000 patients per year and the day-care centre has a capacity to take in up to 40 children between ages 0 and 3. HIV/AIDS affected families receive material and medical support, education and counselling, and they are supported with income generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.

Work and Achievements:

The Family Strengthening Programme supported 160 families; 140 families were supported with food parcels every month for the year and the other families were supported with materials, counselling, workshops and medical treatments.

Family caregivers were trained by our Partner Organisation Siyathuthuka Community Project and Thaka Development Services on HIV/Aids, Child Care (parenting), Positive Living (Wellness management) and on the Basics of Financial Management.

Cape Town

Description of SOS Social Centre/FSP:

An SOS Social Centre, co-ordinating an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme, was set up in January 2002. HIV/AIDS affected families receive material and medical support, education and counselling and they are supported with income generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.

Work and Achievements:

• 27 FSP beneficiaries received scholarships of which 24 are based in Educare centres in Langa and 3 FSP beneficiaries at SOS Children’s Village Nursery.
• Food parcels and clothes are being distributed to the beneficiaries.
• 16 FSP beneficiaries from Thembani Primary School received school uniforms, in the form of tracksuits.
• New bunk beds (5 levelled beds) were handed over to 5 FSP households. A total of 20 beneficiaries benefited from this service. These beds were donated by Shoebox and Pick ‘n Pay.
• LACAP is running support groups for caregivers that are infected and affected with HIV and Aids.
• The acting FSP Coordinator ran a successful memory box workshop to 45 caregivers on 24 June.
• 6 FSP beneficiaries received training from Social Development for child abuse through a partner organisation.
• 6 Caregivers were trained for awareness of teenage pregnancy in order to assist their own and local community children.
• 13 Caregivers received basic “banking skills training” from Child Welfare in Khayaletsha.
• 6 caregivers were trained in the mastering of basic sewing skills.
• One caregiver from those trained has started her own income generating project. She is progressing well and has bought her own sewing machine.
• 5 caregivers from Joe Slovo have started a vegetable garden as an income generating project. Their biggest challenge was to find open land.
• 15 Caregivers were trained in bead making by the Sisonke Beads Project.

Nelspruit

Description of SOS Social Centre/FSP:

Since January 2003, an SOS Social Centre has been co-ordinating an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. HIV/AIDS affected families receive material and medical support, education and counselling and they are supported with income generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.

Mthatha

Description of SOS Social Centre/FSP:

Since 2002, an SOS Social Centre has been co-ordinating an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. Families affected by HIV/AIDS receive material and medical support, education and counselling, and they are supported with income-generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness is raised and prevention campaigns are organised.

Mamelodi

Description of SOS Social Centre/FSP:

The SOS Social Centre co-ordinates a training centre and an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. The training centre has been operational since 1993 and offers courses in information technology and dressmaking to up to 2,000 people a year. Since 2002, HIV/AIDS affected families have been receiving material and medical support, education and counselling and are supported with income generating activities. Besides, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.