This humanitarian outreach organisation works in underprivileged areas such as the local Syferfontein settlement, and the holistic programme that is currently being undertaken is a joint multi-disciplinary team effort that will have far-reaching effects for years to come.
The programme addresses various aspects of the 31 childrens' development and also targets the needs of the 13 mothers involved. For example, the little ones' hearing, eyes and physical health and development are all checked by physiotherapists, doctors, optometrists and audiologists. Moms have access to education that will help them to help their children academically, socially and physically (first aid), as well as to help them look after their own physical fitness and mental well being. For both moms and tots, diagnosis is followed by intervention plans and feedback sessions, to ensure improvement occurs.
Joannie Strauss from Baby Gym had a couple of moms and tots on stage last week at Olympia School, to demonstrate to the audience the work she is currently doing to encourage natural holistic development. Bertha du Plessis and Karen le Roux explained how they check to see that a child's development falls in the 'normal' range for their age. In the Early Childhood Development crèche, moms can see what their children are learning and apply the same learning and teaching principles to their children at home after school and on weekends. According to Debbie Pijoos, God Cares' co-ordinator, this facility does not replace a crèche but rather prepares the youngsters and ensures they are ready to enter a school setting.
The next area that the open day visitors saw was the Health Clinic, where Dr Koos van der Merwe and Suzette Syce focus on health promotion and prevention, as they thoroughly screen the general health of youngsters. This includes making sure that children are growing properly, that they do not have any parasites, that their immunisation shots are up to date and that medical intervention is not required. Youngsters' clinic cards are also checked.
At the Second Chance Foundation children are encouraged to listen to stories and learn new words, and the focus is on early literacy. Maria Williams is a master story-teller who is passionate about feeding the imaginations of children - and parents - with reading material in the 'Lapsits' group. The idea is that youngsters learn to express their feelings verbally from an eary age, rather than resorting to detrimental actions in the future, such as bullying or substance abuse.
For more information contact Debbie at 072 301 9767.
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Bertha le Roux (with 7 month old Shamell Mimmies) explains to visitors at the God Cares International open day how physiotherapy is used to diagnose any problems that could affect a child’s development. Diagnosis is partnered with an intervention solution that is monitored over the months to come.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
