The Homestead
Background
The Homestead is an NGO in Cape Town that has been doing phenomenal work with street children since 1982. SASDI has been working with them for the last 3 years to develop a Child and Youth Care Centre in Khayelitsha to further their positive efforts.
What they do
The Homestead’s mission is to help street children reconstruct their shattered lives. They provide interventions, on and off the streets, for boys aged six to eighteen. The Homestead also provides preventative projects that help high-risk children to remain in the care of their families in their communities rather than resorting to a life on the streets.
Links and awards
Being registered with Greater Good SA gives The Homestead credibility and support in its initiatives. Additionally, their recent award from the Government Department of Social Development as a Best Practice Model of Services for Street Children in South Africa shows the organisation’s high levels of professionalism and commitment. The Homestead was also recognised internationally by the STARS Impact Awards for best practice protection services for children, out of hundreds of organisations across the Middle East and Africa.
SASDI partnering for facilities
In order to develop their existing model of prevention and re-integration, The Homestead, in partnership with SASDI, is building a Child and Youth Care Centre in Khayelitsha. The facility will be based on a “cottage style” intervention model, with each of the three cottages housing approximately 15-20 boys. This is a conscious move away from the institutional "dormitory style" model of care. The aim is to create an age appropriate developmental model where boys are housed in age-specific groups. The facility will also house the Early Intervention Centre, which will offer services to children at risk (out-of-school, begging and working in Khayelitsha), and their families. This will be achieved through planned services such as a drop in centre, afternoon care programmes, support groups, counselling and referral. Eventually, an Income Generation Project will be added to this. Equally, the community hall will be used for community-based grassroots organisations.
Collaboration
The local community as well as local and international corporates and trusts will be actively involved in the development of this Centre, participating in the building process itself. As such this project will also bring people from different backgrounds together and be an example of true community development.