Help for street kids at Kidstop

GEORGE NEWS - Georgians' hearts are easily crushed when they encounter a begging child on the street and then they are quick to hand out a few coins or something to eat, but Kidstop is calling on the public to refrain from doing so.

"These people are only enabling the children to keep surviving on the street instead of helping them in a meaningful way," says Jonathan Gelderbloem, who has been heading Kidstop in George for the past 30 years.

The organisation forms part of the Youth for Christ ministry and it provides a safe, fun and educational environment not only for street children, but also for school-attending children who need an aftercare facility.

Between 80 and 120 children pitch up at the centre every day where they know they will receive meals and love, and will be able to take part in fun activities.

"There are currently six children who live on the streets of George with whom we have made contact. They are between eight and 14 years old," says Gelderbloem.

Choosing a life on the street

Gelderbloem says poverty is the major factor that make children choose a life on the street.

"This, combined with difficult circumstances such as abuse, alcohol and drug use and conflict at home, is usually the reason children want to escape. Struggling at school is another factor. When a child fails at school twice and he or she feels they cannot cope anymore, they sometimes choose to run off."

The number of children on the street increases by end November every year when school results are made known. Kidstop reaches out to these children and then helps them catch up on lost work and getting admitted in the Adet programme.

"We put them through a basic reading and writing programme before we try to get them into the mainstream education environment again. If this is not possible, we enroll them for the Adult Education and Training programme (Adet - formerly Adult Basic Education and Training) in Pacaltsdorp. If they are successful, they can do matric through Adet or they can apply at a TVET college for further education."

Kidstop is currently assisting nine former street children who they managed to get into school.

Empowering parents

Kidstop also offers training programmes that empower the parents of children that land up at Kidstop with parenting skills. At the same time, the parents share their own experiences and learn from one another.

After-school facility

In addition to focusing on street children's needs, Kidstop also welcomes school children to attend their programmes after school each day. They get lunch and are then kept busy with life skills training, sport, arts and crafts as well as spiritual programmes. Fridays are fun days and during holidays, exciting holiday programmes are presented.

The current holiday programme attracted more than 100 children on the first day (Friday 23 June) and Gelderbloem says they have prepared to receive between 150 and 180 children per day. The children receive meals and are treated to lots of fun-filled activities.

Organisations such as Sanco, the police and the Traffic Department are also invited to do fun presentations for the children.

Warm clothing

Gelderbloem says their biggest challenge is to help children with clothing and shoes. "Many of these children do not have shoes or warm clothes and it is heart-breaking in this cold weather. We do appreciate help in this regard."

Kidstop receives a subsidy from the Department of Social Development and donations from churches and individuals help cover some costs. Gelderbloem says people can sponsor a specific child. In such a case, the child's needs are assessed and communicated to the donor or sponsor.

For more information or to lend a hand to Kidstop, call their office on 044 874 2624 or Jonathan on 082 687 2588.

Jonathan Gelderbloem