Elonwabeni Child and Family Centre
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Mission Statement
Elonwabeni is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children who have been abused, violated, and left vulnerable due to HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and sexual molestation.
About This Cause
Elonwabeni is a Xhosa word which means 'Place of Happiness'. At Elonwabeni, we actively live- and create positive memories in the belief that this will strengthen and enable our children to become strong and positive young adults - creating the space for them to contribute productively to society. Elonwabeni is situated on the Cape Flats in Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape. This is a community which has its roots in the implementation of the Group Areas Act in 1950 under Apartheid. Like many other suburbs on the Cape Flats, Mitchells Plain is ravaged by high rates of crime, substance abuse, domestic violence and unemployment. Most of the children who are placed at Elonwabeni come from these challenging circumstances. Residential Place of Care: Elonwabeni is a Cluster Foster Care Scheme - we have 5 homes, each accommodating 6 to 8 children. In total, we currently have 30 children in our care. The care and nurturing provided by our Social Workers and staff, include psycho-social, spiritual discipline, physical comfort and protection, as well as best health care. Family Reunification: At Elonwabeni, we recognise that children do not exist in a vacuum. They can only be as strong as their ties are to their families. We therefore actively work with parents and host families, to ensure that our children have perspectives and understanding of family and community, which extends beyond the boundaries of our organisation. Wellness / Health Centre: As part of our service to our staff and our children, we have a Health Centre which is staffed by a Registered Nurse. Our approach to health is both holistic and preventative. Services offered at the Health Centre include health profiling, early diagnosis and intervention, support and management of chronic conditions, as well as training and education around issues of health and hygiene. PsychoSocial Support: The pedagogical approach applied across all our areas of work is our understanding of systemic therapy and how it applies to our children, their parents and their family structures. A large part of this in our area of work is recognising what our family systems look like, finding our place in this and accepting our realities for what they are. This is where the 'real' work happens for our children. Staff: We also recognise that our staff members are only best able to support our children emotionally if they are in a healthy space. In line with this, we provide monthly supervision and training for our staff, directly supporting their challenges and indirectly supporting their work with our children. Income Generation for young Women and Mothers from the Community: Many of our children's parents are HIV positive and unable to sustain themselves financially. They are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty, poor health, poor nutrition and unemployment. Elonwabeni is committed to these women - we provide space, material, training and a market for them to sell their artwork. Their artwork includes beautiful, handmade WireArt completed with colourful glass beads. Their weekly income enables them to provide food and clothing for their children. This programme has been running for the last 10 years, with products being sold in both Munich and Regensburg in Germany. Life at Elonwabeni is filled with both fun and hard work. We ensure that we remain compliant at all levels as set out by the Department of Social Development and the Receiver of Revenue. We have a strong administrative and financial team who ensures that all activity at the Centre is conducted in a transparent and ethical manner.