Geneva's House - by Johan Obbes and Kay Lorentz

In November 2010 our Resilient Kids department became aware of a centre for abused women and their children in Eersteriver. This was the first encounter with the formidable Geneva and the crisis centre which she has built up over a decade. The problem was that this crises centre was in crisis. The centre has become too much for Geneva, and has been damaged to the point that it was not fit for any human being. It is a building in much need of repair but because the centre lost its NPO status (in a crisis centre families are only supposed to stay 3 months, this has not been happening at Geneva’s House as people stayed more than 3 months) we have unfortunately experienced not a lot of involvemnet from government’s side, yet we believe that with a proper, healthy partnership between government and the private sectors, we can make a change to this situation. We know we are all responsible for our communities and this is where the spirit of UBUNTU will flourish.

On my first visit there I was overwhelmed by the positive attitude this brave 63 year old beamed out, and the love which she poured over every child who would run past us and quickly grab “Ouma Geneva’s” skirt. The smell of open sewerage hit me like a ton of bricks, and the dark, damp bedrooms were no shock when we had to hear how Geneva and some resident mothers would run around at night, fighting off burglars (entering via the broken ceiling), to steal their electric globes, electrical wires, kitchen utensils and whatever they could lay their hands on. The main building consists of approximately seven large bedrooms where you will find mothers and children, with the two outside buildings housing more families.

Over the years Geneva has been struggling against a lot of bureaucracy to get government’s involvement, while meanwhile there are 71 children living there with an undetermined number of adults. It is not the fault of these children that they are there, and yet more and more of them are dropped off here on a daily basis. The problem is that there is nowhere else for these people to go, and for most of these children…Geneva’s House has been the only home which they have ever known.

Geneva’s House is located on an open plot in Kuilsriver off a busy street. No fences exist to keep any of the children safe, not even mentioning the ARC rehab centre in close vicinity whose inhabitants could just walk onto the property of Geneva’s House. The home has some structural damage, sewerage are overflowing in the bathrooms, electricity cables are stolen, children are malnourished and yet Geneva is still fighting after a decade to improve the lives of these people. The home is currently financed by her pension money, and some of the children’s child grants.

On the 18^th July we are celebrating Mandela Day, which is also a day where people all over the world is called to action to make the world a better place, one small step at a time. On this day we are joining hands to make Geneva’s House a well run, safe centre for the restoration of women and children established on this site. The needs of this house is HUGE and we invite you and your organisation to get involved in revamping this house. For those people who cannot be there on the 18^th JULY 2011 (a Monday) are more than welcome to make your contribution to Geneva's House any time before the 18^th July, or even visit Geneva’s House on Saturday 16^th July 2011 where we can bring all the teams together and make a change in this home. This way we can make it a continuous Mandela Day Project. (Please just coordinate all pledges with Kay or Johan)

The aim is to create a sustainable support system that will last, even once Mandela Day has come and gone, thus we need people to adopt this project and take ownership of this amazing venture.

Us Philippians have stepped in to help Geneva reregister her NPO status, and organise her legal documents to enable her to access bigger funders. We are also taking in a team of nurses and counsellors from one of our Desmond Tutu VCT sites to give them a wellness package where voluntary HIV/TB counselling & testing will be done, together with Pregnancy Testing, Family Planning, Glucose testing, BMI testing, Blood Pressure measurements and general HIV/TB awareness.

We do acknowledge that accountable  and sustainable management is needed to run this organisation and thus part of the needs is for individuals to volunteer their time and skills to act as directors to come alongside Geneva and guide her to manage this home correctly. We need individuals, churches and organisations to get involved in this project. Whatever your skills are, whatever you have to offer in resources…Geneva’s House can use it!

Geneva’s House is in need for a church or organisation to adopt them, and walk the journey of sustainable development with them.

We need, administrators, painters, engineers, plumbers, electricians, decorator’s, board members and much much more.

The question is…what is in your hand that you can help with!? Their current needs list is as follows:

1.      Philippi can give volunteers, help with getting the house legal/status NPO etc.

2.      Paint

3.      Engineers to look at the buildings to see if it should be rebuilt or renovated

4.      Fences & Security

5.      Plumbers & Electricians

6.      Jungle Gym painted and restored

7.      Garden playing equipment (Swings etc)

8.      Decorate Rooms, Curtains, Bedding, Cupboards etc.

9.      Vegetable Gardens

10.  Lounge Area/Safe Meeting Place

11.  New Kitchen Appliances

12.  TOYS – NEW

13.  Become a board member (finance or Human Resource support)

14.  Host a picnic on the day

To get involved in this amazing project contact Kay on kay@resilientkidssa.org.za or Johan at johan@philippitrust.co.za to offer your help or pledge your commitment.

Article written by Johan Obbes & Kay Lorentz