St Thomas is a registered non-governmental organization. We have 60 children of Indian, Coloured and Black race groups that reside at the Home between the ages of 2 and 10 years old. There are emergency situations where we will take children that are younger than 2 years and when we have to accommodate more than 60 children. The children come from disadvantaged backgrounds, i.e. abandoned, sexually, mentally and physically abused, neglected and orphaned. 50% of our children are HIV+ and need specialised care and nutrition and psychosocial needs differ to normal children in order for them to accomplish normal activities of day-to-day living.
Our vision:
Our aim at St. Thomas is to provide our children with the closest to a loving home environment as possible. The childcare workers that work with our children are the only mothers that some of our children will ever know. We have to be able to effectively provide, nurture and care together with love and compassion.
The Home receives a monthly grant that is a partial subsidy for each child, which does not provide for all the children’s needs. Although we appreciate sweets and chocolates, our children have a greater need for food, toiletries, clothing and shelter. The building is old and needs lots of renovations and repair. As children come and go, there is always a need for seasonal clothing, underwear and shoes. Volunteers are required to assist with caring for the children and helping with various programmes the Home has in place. Your assistance is needed.
Our objectives are:
- to provide residential care to disadvantaged children;
- to expose children to early childhood development experiences;
- to provide children with specific educare programmes by exposing children to casework, group work and community work;
- to provide sport and recreation opportunities and encourage and enhance spiritual growth;
- to provide after school, holiday and weekend programmes;
- to re-unite children with their families or place as many children into foster care as possible, alternately to recruit host families for weekends and holidays;
- to provide adequate medical care for all children and special care for the terminally ill children;
- to recruit, select and train volunteers, local and overseas students for the benefit of our children and to serve as a network and resource within the community.
The child care workers, general assistants and office staff at St Thomas’ are the only link to a mother, father and granny that they know. They provide the love, care, protection and nurturing that the children need. They provide a listening ear when the children come home from school angry and feel they have been wronged, a shoulder to cry on or a hug when they feel despondent. Our jobs are not isolated to our field of education but have to fit the needs of the child at any given moment. This is their home and we are their family. They provide the following:
- Commitment from adults who care for and believe in them;
- Communication with adults who show interest in what the children are doing, thinking and feeling;
- Reasonable and consistent boundaries (rules for behaviour) that are understandable and developmentally appropriate;
- Appreciation that enhances children’s sense of self-worth;
- Coping strategies such as sharing, managing anger, resolving conflict and dealing with stress to see them through the tough times in life;
- Positive role modelling from adults who demonstrate positive self-esteem;
- A clean, healthy and safe environment;
- Nutritious and well prepared food to suit the various age groups as well as the immuno-compromised children.
Operates in: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Established in: May 1959
Non-Profit Organisation Number: 020-961
Public Benefit Organisation Number:
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number:
Contact person: Renalda van Wyk
Phone: 031 207 3223
Fax: 031 208 1512
Email:
Website: www.charitysa.co.za/st-thomas-child-and-youth-care-centre.html
Physical address: 5 Williamson Place, Sydenham
Postal address: 5 Williamson Place, Sydenham
