Life Skills Effects 10/13

Home Affairs Liaison:

It has been a busy and at times frustrating month for Judy Carter, our home affairs liaison. With a number of parents and caregivers not arriving at collection points with the proper documentation and even Home affairs delays, but all in all, the success and joy on the applicant’s faces when receiving an ‘identity’ outweighs all the frustrations.

This month we met a 38 year old woman, CeCe who, along with her uncle and 2 children, needed to apply for birth certificates before being eligible to apply for ID books. Judy was accused at Home Affairs of bringing illegal people to their offices and informed that she would be arrested for aiding and abetting, when the Home Affairs officials accused CeCe of being Mozambican. After a number of interviews and questioning, with Judy insisting that Cece is infact of Zulu heritage, it was established that Cece is from Pongola and was in fact a South African. Heart attacks aside, CeCe and her family left Home Affairs having successfully applied for SA documents.

An elderly man who appeared to be mentally disabled, approached Judy in Amaoti while she was assisting the school learners obtain ID books. He had asked Judy for some money for some food & water and Judy asked the man, “What about your pension money?” to which he replied, I do not have an ID book. Judy picked up the man and took him through to Home Affairs. On the 21st of October, Sipho’s brand new ID book arrived, and to Judy’s surprise, he was not as old as he seemed! With this ID book, Sipho can now apply for a possible grant.

Judy also has a strong passion to assist pupils with obtaining employment after high school. This month, she helped a young man apply to be a policeman. The entry exam was in Stanger and it has always been his dream to be in the Police force. We are eagerly awaiting results next month!

Life Skills Lessons:

This month the teams have thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, with positive learner interaction taking place. Covering lessons such as ‘Facing Peer Pressure’, ‘You and others are valuable’, ‘Respect & Boundaries’, ‘Choosing your response’, ‘Understanding HIV/AIDS’ and ‘Diversity & Prejudice’, our aim is to empower the leaders of the future to make wise life decisions.

UNISA Social Work Student:

We have said farewell to our UNISA Student Social workers as placement for 2013 has come to an end. After handing in their portfolios and about to head into examinations, we extend a huge thank you to this year’s team. They have been an asset to the life skills programme, and of immense value to the schools in Amaoti. Amongst one-on-one counselling, the students organised and managed Child Line and SANCA talks and each student ran their own therapeutic group.

Community Involvement:

Key Delta, a transport and shipping company with a heart for education in South Africa, organised an incredible outing for the Nhlonipho prefects to Ushaka Marine World this month. The prefects toured the aquarium, had lunch and watched an exciting dolphin show. The learners left with a bucket fill of memories as for many, it was the 1st time at an aquarium! Key Delta also donated funds towards The Domino Foundation, to continue our work with the Life Skills programme.

Holmes Brothers also blessed the children of Amaoti this month when they donated between 150 – 200 brand new, articles of clothing in an assortment of sizes. Judy Carter assisted with the distribution of the clothes by allocating items to teachers in charge of OVC children (Orphan & Vulnerable Children). The teachers then identified the neediest of students and delivered the much needed clothes to the overjoyed learners.

A HUGE thank you to Key Delta & Holmes Brothers for their generous contribution to Life Skills programme and helping The Domino Foundation Change a Life, Change a Community.

Read more of our October Domino Effects Newsletter here:
– Babies Effects
– Feeding Effects: Durban North Kitchen
– Feeding Effects: Brookedale Kitchen
– Life Skills Effects
– ECD Effects
– Literacy Effects