From a dump site to a fully functional school! 

Due to the involvement of Holy Cross Home with the HIV/AIDS programmes in the informal settlements of Plastic View and Soshanguve Ext XX, from 2001, orphaned and vulnerable children from 2 years and older with insufficient care were found.  It was noticed that the number children wandering the streets increased and it became evident that many children were bunking school as some did not have the relevant documents needed for admission to the schools and others had no means of getting to schools except on foot – some schools were 10 km away.  Holy Cross Home staff intervened for advocating admissions to the schools when no documents could be produced and then these children were accepted.

Others were alone at home with no supervision after school, others were abused and neglected.  A meal was provided in the afternoons and eventually play was introduced and later other learning activities.  As these were introduced, it was then noted that many of the learners had learning problems, so a process of formal teaching was started and many children benefited from these.  This initiative gradually developed into a crèche for children in the age group 2 – 7 years old, as well as after-care for school going children.

The current number of children cared for are 84 for non-school attending children and 100 school attending children for after-care at the drop-in centre.

Children are attended to by the Principal of Emmanuel Place of Hope, 5 Child Care Workers, a Caretaker and volunteers from the community.

Challenges:

Six stipends from the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) are received.  All other expenses and deficits are covered by the Home and fund-raising efforts.  Us4You Foundation and CBC are the main sponsors.