From bully to protector

Meet Refi

Refi* knows what it’s like to be a bully. She manipulated and bullied children around her. Now she is speaking out against bullying at Children’s forums. Using her leadership skills for good. This is because Kids Haven carers believed in her and loved her.

At four she arrived at Kids Haven and started at our pre-school. The teachers struggled with behaviour issues but always believed in her and invested time in her. This behaviour continued as she entered primary school and in her Kids Haven home she wouldn’t listen to instructions, would coach new children that arrived at the home to be disobedient and was often involved in conflicts with other children. But still the caregivers and teachers kept believing in her, caring for her, loving her and being consistent always.

Now at 16 she is a beautiful young women who uses her leadership skills for good, both at home, at school and in the greater community, speaking out against bullying at Children’s forums. She now knows when to walk away when provoked by another child and is growing every day.

Unfortunately, she is undocumented as her mother is Zimbabwean and brought her here when she was very young. Her father and grandmother still live in Zimbabwe but for her the idea of leaving the only country she has every known and going to Zimbabwe is scary. Her parents are not taking any responsibility to help her get documented so while she will write matric soon, she won’t be eligible to receive a matric certificate.

Kids Justice is working with embassies and her family to do all they can to get her documented. It is a long and difficult process. She deserves a chance to find work when school is done. To have an identity. Kids Haven is doing all it can to help her. We need your support to keep fighting for children and young people like Refi.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the child.

Support our Residential Care programme by becoming a monthly donor.

It’s all about connections for our young people

Our young people have been busy over the last few weeks. They stepped up to assist the Leverage Corporation’s Luxliner Route 66 MTB event in Magalies, getting up before the sunrise to stand along the route and provide water and encouragement for the riders. The organiser was so impressed he is going to be welcoming them back to future events and paying them for their time.

Then on 26 March the Kids Haven’s corporate networking lunch took place in Benoni, where local businesses gathered to engage directly with our young people.

Corporates from across the East Rand and Johannesburg were keen to explore practical ways to support youth transitioning into the world of work.

Our young people, as always, brought vibrancy, enthusiasm and authenticity to the event engaging with guests and embracing the opportunity to connect with potential employers.

Kids Haven’s Manager for Youth and Skills Development, Ilka Stein, once again reinforced the organisation’s core message: that the difference between potential and success is often simply access and opportunity.

“It’s all about connections. We are so excited about all the possibilities that these recent events offer our young people. Businesses play a critical role in shaping sustainable futures for young people,” she says.

Want to get involved in our youth programme? Contact Ilka on youth@kidshaven.co.za.

Hopping towards Easter – how you can help

Our children love a special chocolate egg and bunny hunt on Easter Sunday. Last year, Tebogo* (not his real name), aged 7, couldn’t believe his eyes when he spotted that first bunny peeping out of the bushes. He held it like a precious treasure. When he was told there were more marshmallow eggs for him to find, he looked stunned. This was the first time he had ever received an Easter treat – and could have it all for himself. It was a very special moment.

Thanks to wonderful sponsors this year all our children, Tebogo included, will be heading into the gardens at Kids Haven again for some fun. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need you!

Every day we provide nourishing meals for our 150 children. These meals include veggies, protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates that ensure sustained energy and feed growing brains. We take this very seriously. Because we want our children to do well in school, to cope with every day challenges and to laugh, play and have fun as all children should.

Did you know the cost to feed one of our children each month is R547?

This money is collected through donations. Yes, people like you and me generously give so we can feed our beautiful children. Would you consider giving a donation today that will make a significant impact? Or better yet – become a monthly donor so we can rely on a regular income?

Every child matters.

Please help make this Easter and every day an extra special one! 

A sporty shout-out to our wonderful donors

We send a huge thank you shout-out to Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Puma for the incredible donations of sport clothing for our netball and football teams. Sport is a great way to bring children together and to teach teamwork, discipline and how to deal with failure and success. We are very proud of our teams who enter tournaments, practice hard and give it their all. Having team kit is so important as it instills a sense of belonging. Thank you to both these donors for making this possible for us. If you would like to find out more about our sport programmes and how you can help, please email hello@kidshaven.co.za.

Winter warmies please

Winter is on its way and we are appealing for blankets, jerseys, gloves, beanies, scarves, jackets, tracksuits and anything else warm for our children and community members. You can drop these goodies at either our Bryanston or Benoni offices or send us a whatsapp and we can collect: 0718600505. Thank you!