Challenge:
Janet, 32, was an unemployed single parent that didn’t receive grants for two of her four children. The two grants that she did receive (R560.00) were not sufficient to meet the needs of the family of five as she had to pay rent as well. Her three younger children were not in any ECD centers as she didn’t have the means to support this. Janet was also overwhelmed as a single parent and therefore couldn’t spend sufficient time with each child.
Janet heard about Afrika Tikkun from her step-mother who was a former client of the Nutrition & Food Security Programme and Janet came to see the Social Worker.
Afrika Tikkun intervened as there were children in the house and it was obvious Janet needed social assistance. If there was no intervention by Afrika Tikkun, Janet would still be unemployed and not have received any grants. She would also be under skilled and her relationship with her children wouldn’t be as promising as it is now.
Action:
- We assisted Janet in applying for child support grants for her two children that she didn’t receive grants for
- Budgeting skills were taught in order for her to work with her money effectively
- An internal referral was to our Nutrition & Food Security Programme so Janet and her children receive daily meals
- We offered parenting skills with her in ways to effectively communicate and discipline her children
- We did Skills Transferal sessions - Home Based ECD activities with her and the children as she can’t afford to send them to crèche
- We sent Janet on a “Learn to Earn” baking course
- We ensured that Janet attended various parenting workshops that were run by Family Support Services and Parent Centre.
- We held one on one sessions with Janet about family planning
With all interventions that have been completed Janet is now receiving grants for all her children. She has registered her son for grade R. Her eldest daughter is progressing well at school. Janet has completed her “Learn to Earn” baking course and was selected to do a 6 week training programme and will be receiving an income during this time. The training also holds an opportunity for possible employment in the future.
With the continuous family planning sessions that were held with Janet she since has gone for a sterilization operation. She has better time management skills as she now spends sufficient time with her children through doing ECD activities with them at home.
Results:
Janet received the following skills:
- Baking skills. This allows her to generate an extra income from home
- Budgeting and Marketing Skills received during her Learn to Earn course
- Parenting skills
Other assistance:
- Janet received various food parcels for the family
- She is also now part of our ongoing Nutrition & Food Security Programme
The personal development that Janet has displayed and her increased sense of independence is exactly what Afrika Tikkun aims to achieve when we intervene with families.
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