Many of you are asking the question: “where have all the street children gone during the pandemic of Covid-19?”
ICare have been looking after, rehabilitating, educating and skilling street boys in our city for the past 18 years.
They have a contingent of extremely loyal and caring staff who have been instrumental in the care of these children through these trying times. During the pandemic, they have to be extremely vigilant in keeping both the children and staff safe and healthy.
The staff have been outstanding in their efforts to educate, plan and carry out the necessary tasks that will ensure the safety of the boys as their top priority, and with respect and consideration for each other as colleagues under trying circumstances.
The planning and implementation of the lockdown was carried out very smoothly and hurdles met and overcome with great commitment.
The three I Care Houses and Umuzi Rehabilitation Centre, collectively housing 35 children and 11 house parents, have been in total lockdown since 18 March, allowing no visitors at all. Full DSTV packages were installed at each facility as well as new 4-in1 games tables purchased for entertainment, as these boys are an amazing and very energetic bunch of boys. All facilities have the necessary education, sanitisation and protection necessary.
To keep a strict eye on the boys and staff, I Care is being strict with regular temperature checks and charting. THey thank DSD for their input and support.
Their Outreach team continues to work during this period of lockdown, providing for any urgent needs.
I Care is in collaboration with Jump Youth Mission in Buffelsdraai, where their older boys, who are going through the Rehabilitation Programme “Sakhimpilo”, and are about to begin their skills training, reside. They currently have six I Care boys staying at JYM, under the loving and spiritual guidance of Valery and Kevin. All the necessary safety and hygiene precautions are in place and this facility is practising social distancing and complete lockdown while going about their daily programmes.
The Aftercare Manager has delivered 12 food parcels to families in need and will also ensure that the outpatient detox boys get to their clinic appointments each and every week.
Six aftercare boys are waiting patiently at home to be called in to start the programme, once the lockdown enforcement has been lifted.
The good news is that I Care has just become the proud owner of a lovely piece of ground that has been a God-sent gift at this time and gives the boys their own turf to play on. They can kick balls and have games in a safe place. This piece of land is right next to two of their family houses in Lower Illovo.
I Care would like to thank everyone for the prayers and concern shown during this difficult time.
Keep safe!
For more info or to make a donation visit our website: www.icare.co.za
I Care – Looking after street children since 2002.