The Path Out of Poverty Programme operates every weekday and has 17 interlocking projects, which include a pre-school for farm children, after-school support and life skills projects as well as school holiday programs. One of the most important aspects of the programme is our food security project, where we provide food to children and young people when they attend the different projects. We have been successful in providing food to children during the week, but over weekends we are very worried that the children may not have a decent meal to eat. Why? Alcohol abuse by parents remains one of the biggest challenges affecting the lives of children on African farms. As a result of alcohol abuse children are often neglected and very vulnerable over weekends.

When I started working for the Path Out of Poverty Programme, I remember feeling very inspired by the Safe House project that we currently have on 9 farms around Goedgedacht. The Safe House project came about as a result of engagement with our Home Based Care volunteers and feedback from our youth members. The Safe House concept is an indigenous response to the challenges of alcohol abuse, domestic violence and the resultant child neglect and starvation over weekends. Each Safe House is run by a volunteer, whom we call a Safe House Mother, who live in the house and provide food, give care and affection to the children of farm workers over weekends.

In a recent study on our safe house project that was done by Ms. Julia Janssen from Stanford University, she indicated that the establishment of “an educational Safe House Programme that serves as a catalyst for greater change by inspiring community members to speak out, all stakeholders must be involved in order to take advantage of all available networks.” Although the safe house project started out as a means of providing nutrition, safety and care for children on farms on a weekend, the project has brought about a few very significant opportunities. One such opportunity has been the fact that safe house mothers are now more than just mere providers of food and care, but are now also a leader in the community. Safe house mothers are regarded as a valuable source through which critical information are communicated to the farm, they receive monthly training sessions where they are taught how to give basic first aid and health related information. One of our safe house mothers have also been recognized by the local magistrate and social worker as a temporary care giver, who is now caring for a child that has been abused.

We believe that the possibilities for the safe house project are endless and with your support we want to take on the challenge of ensuring that each one of the 32 farms that are served by the Path Out of Poverty Programme, has a safe house over the next 24 months.

Go to our contact section if you are inspired to make a contribution to our safe house project.

Talk to you soon.
Jeremy Maarman (Programme Coordinator)