uMephi Project

NAME OF SERVICE/PROGRAM:

uMephi Program (Hereafter called Foster Homes and Place of Safety Homes also known as Halfway Homes)

Fundraising Number: 01 100115005 8

Welfare Organization: 11 02 0059

PBO: 18/11/13/1456

FOCUS OF THE SERVICE/PROJECT:

Foster Care/ Place of Safety Homes (Halfway Homes)

It is the focus of the A.F.M. Executive Welfare Council to:

• establish ( obtain, purchase and equip) Foster Homes and Place of Safety Homes (Halfway Homes) in different communities in South Africa in order to accommodate and meet the need of more Children in need of care, more specific, abandoned children, children affected by HIV/Aids – Aids Orphans, children who are HIV-negative and children who are HIV-positive and have special needs. - recruit, screen, train and support Foster Parents/Place of Safety Parents and Adoptive Parents to care for the children.
• appoint a Social worker to do the Statutory and Therapeutic Work to ensure a secure legal process as well as emotional wellness.
• admit and enroll all children in educational programmes and involve them in Spiritual programmes to encourage maximum intellectual and spiritual development.
• test (medical) and screen children for placement with a family in the shortest possible time – own family, adoption or foster care if needed.

MOTIVATION:

The A.F.M. Executive Welfare Council, originated in 1938 as a result of the need to care for disadvantaged Children who, as a result of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, rejection or abandonment were removed from their parents/primary caregivers.

We have over the years provided a home for thousands of children and have saved many from not only physical harm but also from emotional and spiritual damage. Many Children were eventually re-united with families, others were placed with Foster Parents and Adoptive parents and many others have completed their Education in the Children’s Home, found jobs and are contributing to Society in a positive manner.

The South African Government (Welfare Department) has placed a moratorium on financing new Children’s Villages and Homes which means that no new developments will be subsidized. They are however prepared to pay a monthly grant of R590.00 per child to a Foster Home as well as R13.90 per day per child for a child in a Place of Safety.

The AFM Executive Welfare Council, through the u Mephi Program has established Halfway Homes for Abandoned babies in different provinces in South Africa : Cape Town (2), Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Durban, Welkom (2), Kimberley, Upington, Pretoria (1) and Johannesburg (4) – see schedule attached. These homes can according to the Children’s Act only accommodate 6 children at a time, but as a result of the need, homes have to accommodate as many as 13 babies at one given time. The establishment of more Halfway homes are in the process as the need is growing each day. 2000 Babies have been accommodated since March 2001.

It is the intention of the AFM Executive Welfare Council to accommodate babies, toddlers and Orphans in Foster Homes in the same areas as the Halfway Homes as it has become clear that many of the babies and toddlers are HIV-positive/mildly disabled and will have to be cared for for as long as they live. It is also the intention of the AFM Executive Welfare Council to, through the same program, establish Community Trust Foster Homes for specifically Orphaned siblings. Once again 6 children will be placed in a home in the care of screened and trained Foster Parents. The home will however be registered in a Trust with the children as the sole beneficiaries.

PLANNED DURATION:

The Service as planned will be ongoing for as long as the need exists.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:

TARGET GROUP:

The Program is available for children between the ages of 0 and 18 years from all communities and races who are abandoned, is HIV-negative, HIV-positive and/or orphaned. The area of operation will be communities where the needs exists and where a Home can function under the co-management and support of and assembly.

AREA OF OPERATION:

South Africa

Lesotho

OBJECTIVES:

Homes will provide care for the Child in Need of Care (Long term and Short term)

The Homes will meet the basic needs of the children in it’s care by ensuring it is able to:

The Program will provide a service, which is in accordance with the Rights of Children.

• Provide training and on-going Control and Supervision over the homes according to the Minimum Standards: The South African Child and Youth care System

CONTACT PERSON:

Program Manager:
Mrs. Helena Jackson
Telephone: 27 12 332 0599
Fax:27 12 332 3819

email: helena@netdial.co.za

Website:http://www.umephi.org/