Oasis South Africa – Healthy Living Kids Program

Oasis South Africa- Healthy Living Kids Program

Background 

Oasis,a non-profit organisation working in Cosmo City in north-western Johannesburg,has received a generous donation of R6,500 per month for an one year period,with an additional payment of R5,000 in December for hosting a Christmas party for disadvantaged children. The Welridge Residents Association committee askedthat the funds be used in the following way:

1.    A part-time Social Worker - R3,000 per month

2.    Resources for Wonderful Me and I am Special sessions - R1,000 per month

3.    Educational Toys for Pre-schools - R2,500 per month

What funding from the Welridge Residents Association has madepossible so far

‘Wonderful Me' is a self esteem and anti-abuse program which was presented over a seven week period with the grade 3 pupils, and was aimed at engaging with children on the complex issues of sexual abuse and healthy livingin their context through sharing the good news that they are all made in theimage of a loving God, who wishes for them to reach their full potential. We reached 320 children during this period where they responded very positively to each session we had with them. Your funding has made it possible to have added an extra special touch by making a booklet for each student where they have done an art activity in weekly to reinforce the lesson, together with an individual photo.   For many of the students this is their first personally owned photograph, which created much joy and excitement.

"I Am Special" is a programme specifically focussed on anti-abuse, and good and bad touch. It is aimed to raise awareness and empower children to speak out and tell someone they trust if abuse occurs. It was presented over 5 weeks at a second primary school in Cosmo City, and engaged 200 grade two pupils in a fun, interactive way with the use of puppets, and drama.

Our primary school program has been well received by teachers and school governing bodies,and the principal of one primary school asked us to run a lesson following multiple incidents of in appropriate touching by six year old pupils at the school, insisting that she would only trust Oasis to deal with this difficult situation. We reached an additional 900 pupils during this special intervention session. It has since been reported that harassment has decreased among the children, and no further incidents of ‘bad touch' have been reported since.

We have also used your funding to appoint a part-time socialworker, Helanie Naude, from the 1st of October. Together with our Youth and Education programme leader, she has worked to create a network of organisations that will provide co-ordinated support to pre-schools in Zandspruit and Cosmo City - ranging from training for teachers to the daily meals for children. We have identified six pre-schools, being most needy but also with potential to develop, to provide focused support to for the next year. Each of these preschools will receive educational toys paid for by your funding, and specialised support from and interventions by oursocial worker.

Conclusion

Oasis appreciates the generous donations received so far and look forward to furtherimplementing our projects - making a real difference in the lives of children -in the coming year.    

For more information visit our website :  www.oasisza.org