Welfare

In 2008 Vukukhanye expanded its welfare and community support into the Chesterville, working closely with the Chesterville Residents Association , Highway Hospice, Durban Children’s Society, Department of Welfare, Department of Health (including local Municipal Clinic staff and supervisors), the South African Police Services, other NGOs operating in the Cato Manor area, The Westville Rotary Club, as well as experienced individuals, businesses and others who were willing to support the initiative.

Janine Pepper, Vukukhanye’s full-time social worker, facilitated the training and supervision of 10 community workers, who started field-work in Chesterville in October 2008. These community workers conducted home visits gathering information from over 400 families by completing family contact forms. This information is being used to create a database of social needs, and has facilitated direct intervention, follow-up and referrals as needed. This has included cases of orphans & vulnerable children (child abuse and neglect, child-headed households, school registrations & waiving of fees), poverty and unemployment, identity document issues, referrals to Home Affairs, and assistance with foster care grant applications. The community workers received training on the counselling of children, food security, types of grants available and requirements needed to access them. Health-related cases (ill and disabled) have been referred to the Highway Hospice or other appropriate organizations.

The cooperation and relationships with all Chesterville stakeholders has been formailzed, including the establishment of a Welfare Forum and a Church network forum.