Reaching Women and Children also sees empowering our children in schools as a vital part of impacting our future generation, as they, especially in their teen years, are making decisions everyday which will either make or break their lives.
With this in mind, Reaching Women and Children has entered into the school arena by holding an open office daily to provide support, motivation and mentoring that will empower our children to achieve their full potential and guide them towards a brighter future.
Thank you for the interest and partnership in Reaching Women and Childrens School Initiative, about which I will share as briefly as possible.
Social Interactions and Upliftment Programs
Reaching Women and Children has initiated a few social interaction projects in a bid to change the atmosphere of the school. Without any recreation even in the most basic form, the life of a child in our schools can only be described as tedious, boring, and very de-motivating, thus producing the poor results, as well as aggressive purpose-less children, where drug abuse is rife. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Its Not Just Coffee
When thinking of how to change the social atmosphere of the school, Reaching Women and Children originated the idea of starting a coffee club for the Learners calling it “Not Just Coffee” …and indeed, it’s not just coffee, but a place where the learners can socialise, talk freely with people who support them, listen to music and more important learn to serve each other, thus changing the culture and social atmosphere of the school. During this program we intend to provide sandwiches and snacks for these under-privileged learners.
Dance Classes
1.1 This has given students opportunities to perform at the Rugby Games and some events. Since inception, two students were privileged to be featured in a TV Advertisement.
1.2 Music Classes The students get to express themselves and show their hidden talent.
Changing the Next Generation
2.1 Motivational Empowerment
The need for continual empowerment though motivational topics and more especially real life examples of changed lives and lifestyles is so important in helping our students grow into mature adults. Over the years we have been honoured to have had skilled, professional people who as friends of Reaching Women and Children have come to help our students at their own cost. We have seen much change and we continually encourage a constant flow of effective efforts from discerning leaders.
2.2 Inspirational Needs
Reaching Women and Children believes that lasting change starts and progresses from within. We are indeed grateful for the opportunity of providing inspirational programs, the students may need.
Emotional Needs
The learners face constant challenges in many forms. Many of them are parents in their own homes, as their parents have died of the raging HIV and Aids Virus which affects millions of South Africans. Teenage pregnancy, victims of rape and violence are common as according to national stats, a woman is raped in SA every few minutes. Reaching Women and Children is available each day to provide counselling and support
3.1 Counselling Our counselling program is open to all students at our office on the school premises. We are privileged to have counsellors, both men and women, who volunteer their services, and are skilled with many years of experience and study in counselling.
Physical Needs
4.1 Supplement to their Dietary Needs Most of our programs run either during break times or after school hours. The students we lend support to are one of the lowest social and economic statuses in the country. It is very needful to offer a cup of juice or coffee when it’s cold and a small snack. Reaching Women and Children strives to continual meet this need.
4.2 Sports and Recreation It is of vital importance that youth are given the opportunity to express themselves in sports and recreation as this also helps in the team player mentality and emotional growth and well-being. In all our time at the school Reaching Women and Children has hardly seen regular sports being part of the Learners day. Reaching Women and Children would like to assist in programs that will make sports part of the Learners growth process.
Training Program for Continuity and Effective Growth
There is much need for administration personnel and volunteers to help out in our different programs. We would like to provide a 6 week training session, so as to equip those who are keen to do work amongst our learners. This training of volunteers is imperative for continuity and growth in years to come.
Intellectual Needs
For many years now the school has been unable to offer computer classes due the vandalising of the computer room. Together with the help of a few generous people, Reaching Women and Children has been able to repair this room last year, however now the next challenge is to buy a few computers so that the children can become computer literate.
Future Projects
7.1 Reaching Women and Children desires to conduct a research program of “The Role of the Family Structure on Student Motivation. “ Interaction with the students will be necessary as we get their point of view and offer the help they need.
7.2 Initiate a programme helping parents get involved in the lives of the children and their schooling, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Support to the Principal and Teachers
The school staff experience tremendous challenges on a daily basis, and having limited resources at the school makes doing their job even more difficult. Reaching Women and Children sees supporting them as a vital part of a holistic help to our students. Each year a Teacher’s Appreciation Day is held where teachers are made to feel special by our team.
Our work amongst the learners is all about changing the next generation and it can only be achieved by a team of dedicated people. I look forward to networking with as many people as possible in order to successfully see these projects completed.
I thank you for your support whether in prayers, provision or presence. Any gift whether small or large is much appreciated.
Monique Govender,
Reaching Women and Children, Founder
