ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre and Oliver House

Khayalethu K1 Programmes

K1 Programmes

The programmes at the Centre are designed to promote holistic and positive development for all our boys. They are aligned with the norms and standards, as well as expectations, of the Children’s Act, Act 38/2005 as amended.

Currently we facilitate 7 programmes to ensure all aspects of development are adressed:

Health, Hygiene and Nutrition Programme

Basic knowledge and skills about personal hygiene are taught and we take care of the overall physical health of the boys. 

  • The social worker and child care workers do health and hygiene inspections and maintenance every fortnight.
  • Nails, hair and the overall cleanliness of the boys’ shoes, lockers, beds, bedding and clothing is checked.
  • New toiletries are issued to the boys.
  • Towels, face cloths and soap dishes are checked.
  • Visits to the clinics, doctors, dentists and optometrists are arranged as necessary.
  • Nutritious meals, which include a school snack, are prepared. This includes the planning and revision of the menu along with proper purchasing and stock control. 
Nurse

School Programme

All the boys are enrolled in the schooling system according to their individual needs, capabilities and potential. This is inclusive of mainstream, ABET and special needs school educational programmes.

ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre established the Strong Foundations School in 2014. Facilitated by a qualified teacher, this school is designed to serve as a bridging programme, should a boy need extra help, assessment or an introduction to the basics before being enrolled in the formal schooling system.

The following also form part of the school programme:

  • Homework class – facilitated Mondays to Thursdays by volunteers
  • Extra lessons at school
  • Computer literacy

Regular school visits are conducted and school meetings  are attended by the social worker.

Group Work

Sport Programme

The Sport Programme of the Centre is quite comprehensive as sport has been proven to be an effective behavioural management tool as well as extremely beneficial in nurturing self-confidence.  Bearing the background of the traditional street child in mind, where they are confronted and actively involved with all kinds of illegal substance abuse, and even that of legal substances such as petrol and glue, the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle is essential.

This programme includes the following sporting activities:

Karate:

Karate was selected as a sport because of the strict discipline for which the martial arts are known. One of the most important aspects in the successful transformation of a street child is discipline and structure. Through the continuous, effective and competitive nature of the sport, the boys also learn respect for themselves and for each other and how to manage their frustration.

Karate has proven vital in restoring their self-esteem and it is an excellent way to channel negative energy or anger. The total behavioural transformation of the boys bears testament to that.

Classes are given by a Sensei twice a week for around an hour. The boys are taught Shotokan Karate, and there is regular participation in competitions where the Khayalethu boys often win medals.

Swimming:

  • Swimming lessons commenced at Aquabear Swimming during October 2014. These lessons aim to teach the boys basic water safety and confidence in water
  • We have a swimming pool on the premises and they boys have lots of fun in summer.

Soccer:

  • Soccer is practiced weekly with great enthusiasm
  • The boys participate regularly in weekend in games against other Child and Youth Care Centre or Places of Temporary Safe Care
  • The boys also take part in the trials for the Homeless Soccer World Cup as well as various local tournaments

Cycling:

  • The boys cycle at least once a week and participate in various events promoting the sport
  • Recently, the boys have discovered an off-road cycle trail near the Centre which tests and increases their skill in this sport

Sporting events:

The boys take part in various events to demonstrate their skills and increase their self-confidence and socialisation abilities, for example:

Karate
Karate
Swimming
Soccer
Soccer

Community Service Programme

This programme aims to establish a sense of pride, community awareness and responsibility as well a culture of giving back to the community. It is formally conducted on Friday afternoons at the Centre, but it also includes a daily duty list that involves everyone in fulfilling Khayalethu household responsibilities.

We run an ongoing recycling project as part our community service and the older boys volunteer as marshals at some sporting events.

Arts, Cultural and Spiritual Programme

This programme aims to develop the various talents of the boys as well as strengthen their spirituality.  The following forms part of this programme:

  • Church attendance and participation on Sundays
  • Participation at Friday Youth Groups
  • Gumboot dancing
  • Choir practices
  • Talent shows and participation in cultural events

Each day at Khayalethu ends with evening devotions.

Therapeutic Programme

This programme aims to equip the boys with various skills in order to address the unique challenges they where previously exposed to and are still experiencing. The programme further aims to increase the self-confidence of the boys, equip them with communication and interaction skills as well as nurture leadership.

The programme includes:

  • Assessments conducted by counsellors of NMU
  • Group therapy sessions conducted by registered counsellors
  • Individual therapy sessions conducted by outsourced psychologists
  • Equine therapy sessions
  • Life skills sessions presented by various groups and individuals
  • Participation in the NACCW Youth Forum activities
  • Annual prize-giving ceremony where individual achievements in sport, academic performance as well as character is recognised

On admission, the IDP [Individual Developmental Plan] of the boy is revised by the social worker and the boy to ensure that a new strength-based plan is compiled for him within the different programmes of the Centre.  This plan is developed in terms of the categories Mastery, Belonging, Independence and Generosity.  This plan is revised every 6 months to ensure it remains relevant to the holistic development, progress and potential of the boy.

Prayer
Assessments
OT

Family Reunification Programme

This programme aims to improve the relationship between the boy and his family of origin or significant others as well as establish and maintain good relations between ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre, the external social worker and the family of the boy concerned. Within this programme, the social worker liaises closely with external social workers of the various boys as well as families. The programme entails the following:

  • Weekend and holiday screenings and placements, inclusive of
    • Provision of food parcels during holidays
    • Transport to family residence
  • Annual home visits
  • Family conferences, where necessary
  • Placement reviews
  • Telephonic contact with family
  • Our traditional committee is responsible for liaising with extended family regarding the initiation process for eligible boys

The ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre and Oliver House is a registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with the South African Revenue Service – PBO Reg. No. 93 000 6889 – and also as a Non Profit Organisation – NPO 199-436.

Find Us

ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre and Oliver House

Lot 160
Kragga Kamma Road
Theescombe
Gqeberha
South Africa

Contact Us

Email

khaya@khayalethu.org.za

Telephone

+27 41 484 5667

Mobile

+27 72 278 8787

The ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre and Oliver House is a registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with the South African Revenue Service – PBO Reg. No. 93 000 6889 – and also as a Non Profit Organisation – NPO 199-436.

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