Men and Boys workshops are making a difference
‘My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.’ —Jim Valvano
“I grew up without a father. My mother did her best but I needed a man to speak to. To show me how a man should act. I looked for that in lots of the wrong places. When I came to Kids Haven I saw men who really cared for kids. They spoke to us kindly and showed us how men can also be caring, not tough all the time. This has made me think about what kind of man I want to be. A good man, a responsible father one day.” Tshepo (not his real name), 17 years old.
The lack of fatherly role models is having a major impact on communities across the country. So many homes are headed by women, be it a mother, grandmother, aunty or eldest sister. “In many cases these women do a good job of running the home but children also need a positive male role model. Unfortunately, many of the children we encounter feel abandoned by fathers and men in general. That’s why it’s so important that we continue running our Men and Boys workshops as part of our family-strengthening programme,” says Sam Mokgopha, CEO of Kids Haven.
The programme was started in April 2023 and is linked to the Gauteng Mens Programme. The aim is to raise awareness around the challenges that boys experience and to partner with men in the community who are positive role models for these boys. “We want to see young men coming out of the programme that want to be honest, positive and successful leaders in our communities. But we need support. We need to pay workshop facilitators, transport costs for the participants and facilitators, and supply workbooks and so on. If you feel this is an area in which you could support Kids Haven please contact us – hello@kidshaven.co.za. We believe in these children. And we believe we can make a change in their lives,” he concludes.
An exciting training day with the Lions rugby team
On a cold wintery Saturday this month our children got to train with the Lions Rugby team and what a fun day it was. The team showed the children such care and attention, not forgetting the ‘training’ games they got going including jumping over the skipping rope, hoola hooping, scrumming and lots more.
Many thanks to this incredible team who created memories that our children will never forget. Thank you for the perfect day out.
Uncle Flommie shares his love of being a Kids Haven ‘dad’
There is nothing better than to be with children and caring for them in my workplace. The children at Kids Haven come from different backgrounds and some have never had an opportunity to converse or dance with their fathers. So, I feel blessed and privileged to be part of their healing process as a father. Being a father at Kids Haven gives me the opportunity to guide and encourage them never to give up in life, to let them know that they can still reach their goals irrespective of what they have gone through in life. I really enjoy driving them to different places and more importantly to different school. I get an opportunity to engage with them, share my old stories and my music with them, sometimes I let them play their music…it’s so nice to let music bridge the gap between two generations.
I feel blessed with all my heart.
I thank you all Kids Haven management, staff, and children!
By Uncle Flommie Magopane
Mandela – a father of our nation
Reflecting on fatherhood and celebrating fathers this last month, we are eagerly anticipating Mandela Day on 18 July – where we acknowledge and share the servant heart of Mandela. There are many ways in which you can get involved with Kids Haven on Mandela Day. Contact Connie on connie@kidshaven.co.za to find out more.
Our most pressing need currently is to feed our Incare children, pay their school fees and pay our house mamas while we await our funding from the Department of Social Development. Regular monthly cash donations as well as food donations of staples will go a long way to help us make this happen. Please consider becoming a monthly donor now by clicking on this link.
If you would like to donate food here is what we are looking for:
- mielie meal, beans, rice, fruit and vegetables, soup (fresh, canned or dried), pasta, cans of tomatoes, baked beans, lentils, pilchards, fruit, tuna, peanut butter, jam, long-life milk, oats, tea, stewing meat or bulk mince.
You are welcome to drop these off at our centres in Bryanston or Benoni, or we can collect.
Please contact Connie on connie@kidshaven.co.za to book your drop-off or collection 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
We appreciate you.
Sam Mokgopha, CEO of Kids Haven, was recently celebrated on the HCI Foundation site for his remarkable work at Kids Haven and in the communities. Take a look at his story…
Uncle Sam, a Phenomenal Leader in Child Protection – HCI Foundation
Our Golf Day is coming up on Friday 18 October at The Wanderers and we still have a few spaces left for fourball entries. This highly-anticipated event is always a fun day out for a great cause so please contact Susan on sued@kidshaven.co.za to secure your spot.
We are also 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.
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.