The youth is the hope of the future – Jose Rizal
Kagiso (not his real) came from Daveyton. He had witnessed severe violence in his home resulting in the death of a parent and the physical abuse of another family member. The Children’s Court declared that he was in need of care and protection. In 2016 Kids Haven became his refuge and home. “He needed so much love and support,” says Annie Maboea, Childcare Manager Kids Haven. Kagiso received therapy to help heal his emotional wounds and started going to school. Most of all, he lived safely in a peaceful environment where he connected with caring house mums and uncles who enabled him to experience an ‘ordinary’ life. Stability in his daily life allowed him the freedom to work through the trauma in the specialised therapy and counselling sessions.
A few years later, Kids Haven helped him to be reunited with a grandmother and aunt. Kids Haven continued to provide support for him while back at home through monthly check-ups, home and school visits, providing basic needs and food parcels and educational support. In 2024, the Kids Haven team helped him apply for a learnership to become a Child and Youth Care Worker in a State Department and he is doing very well. His own personal experiences are helping him to work empathetically with others during his practical training.
“Kagiso is a dedicated, well-behaved, honest, goal-orientated and respectful young person. Having a rough start in life does not need to define who you become. We are very proud of him and how his light is shining in this world. This is why Kids Haven exists. To give young people a chance. But we can’t do it without support. Please consider how you could get involved today – whether it’s through a donation, opening your business to a young person or sharing your skills. We need your help,” says Ilka Stein, Manager: Youth and Skills Development at Kids Haven.
Seventy-six young people arrived at Kids Haven bustling with excitement for our Match Making Marketplace recently. The idea was to bring young people currently not in employment, education or training together to meet with organisations offering training, learnerships, internships or employment opportunities. “We were happy to have six organisations on the day. The youth arrived with their CVs and got a chance to interact with each organisation. And we are very pleased to report that one young person is now employed, two others have been invited for interviews for a learnership and many CVs were submitted,” says Ilka Stein, Manager: Youth and Skills Development at Kids Haven. “Unemployment is a major issue in our country especially for the youth. Through these interactions we are positive that these young people will be exposed to opportunities and eventually job placements.”
Can you showcase your organisation at the next career expo event on 3 August 2024?
Would you be interested in having young people at your organisation for a day?
Can you come and talk to young people about YOUR career or company on any other day – not only at the career expo?
There are numerous ways in which you can get involved and make a difference in the life of our youth.
Click here to chat to Ilka.
Our young seamstress is impressing all round. Kwanele (not her real name) grew up at Kids Haven and is now living with her grandmother in Heidelberg. She is a shy young lady but has the most amazing talent for sewing, especially when it comes to making beautiful bags. Kwanele was part of the Youth Hub programme and became one of 15 entrepreneurs. Kids Haven helped her by providing sewing materials to make more bags and she received an internship opportunity at a professional company to learn how to sew on industrial machines. At the end of her first day at the internship, all the senior sewing ladies stood up and gave her a round of applause for finishing a stunning cosmetic bag. Everyone was really impressed and she could not stop smiling from ear to ear. We are so proud of you, Kwanele! Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
For 12-weeks throughout the year we run a Foundation Phase Youth Skills programme for young people who leave our children’s home and for young people living in poor communities in central Ekurhuleni. Participants meet at Kids Haven’s Youth Hub for three days a week during the twelve weeks.
“It is important that the young people coming out of our Incare homes are taught how to manage job seeking, living independently, and navigating adulthood, especially when they have no contact with any family, perhaps not even any knowledge of the whereabouts of their family,” says Ilka Stein, Manager: Youth and Skills Development at Kids Haven. “Along with that, the young people who live in vulnerable families in under-resourced communities, including informal settlements, around Benoni often have few adult role models with jobs and prospects. These young people are anxious, frustrated, and disillusioned about finding work and a better life. This is why it is so important that our Youth Hub offers programmes and a resource haven for these young people.”
During the 12-week programme, Kids Haven provides transport stipends to bring the group of 20-25 young people to the Youth Hub. Without transport, young people from poor families cannot attend. The programme includes the practical learning of life skills, employability skills, some technical skills such as CV writing, preparing for interviews, and job seeking. “The participants also get regular and practical use of ICT, building competencies in basic computer use for application in any work environment. Digital literacy is extremely important with daily classes as part of the curriculum,” says Ilka. “We need help with monetary donations and organisations opening their doors to these young people.”
Contact Ilka for ways in which you can assist: youth@kidshaven.co.za
Our Kids Haven Career Expo is coming up on 3 August 2024 in Benoni. Our target audience is Grade 8-11 learners. Our goal is simple: To ignite curiosity and passion in these learners by exposing them to a wide range of professions and industries. The expo will feature interactive workshops, engaging presentations and hands-on activities designed to provide practical insights into various career paths. We would love you to join us!
Chat to Ilka if you can exhibit, provide a speaker, donate funds or get involved in any other way: youth@kidshaven.co.za.
Mandela Day is just around the corner. Need an idea of how you can get involved?
Build a food can pyramid and help us fill up our pantries for the year ahead.
The most-needed tins we use every day include cans of tomatoes, baked beans, lentils, pilchards, fruit, and jam. You may even be able to build your pyramid using plastic pots of peanut butter, jam, and hot chocolate for a winter treat. We will use it all to supplement the meals at Kids Haven.
So, get your company, school, friends and family involved. Take a pic of your pyramid by 18 July and post it on the Kids Haven’s Facebook page. You can drop off your cans at Kids Haven donation centre in Bryanston or at the children’s home in Benoni.
Get collecting!
Please contact Connie on connie@kidshaven.co.za to book your drop-off time:
34 – 38 Cranbourne Ave
Benoni
Johannesburg
TEL: +27 (011) 421 4222 or WhatsApp 0693458034
Shop 24, Cramerview Village Shopping Centre, 277 Main Road, Bryanston
TEL: +27 (011) 706 7959 or WhatsApp 071 860 0505 to reach us
Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm daily
Saturdays – 9am – 2pm
Our Golf Day is coming up and we are on the hunt for prizes for all our players. If you could assist with any items or vouchers we would be most grateful. Items such as shirts, wine, umbrellas, meal vouchers, 4-ball vouchers, holiday getaways, non-perishable food items for hampers, are all well-received. We will gladly come and collect or you can drop them off at our offices in Benoni or Bryanston. Please contact Connie on connie@kidshaven.co.za; +27 (011) 706 7959 or WhatsApp 071 860 0505. Many thanks for your support.
If you are keen to join us with a Fourball, please let Susan know on sued@kidshaven.co.za
Get Involved
You can get involved by volunteering, donating money or second hand goods.
If you think your company could help make a difference please contact us.