The fight against crime received a boost during youth month when the Vodacom Foundation today handed over a contribution of R576 000 to a project that re-integrates at-risk street children into the community.
The handover was made today by Vodacom's Managing Executive: Central Region, Neville van Niekerk, on behalf of the Vodacom Foundation. Receiving the symbolic cheque on behalf of the project was its chairperson, Judge MDJ Steenkamp and Executive Director, Advocate AJ Botha.
The Committee for Crime Prevention Northern Cape was established in 1995 in response to the high crime-rate in the province. The project employs a holistic approach, known as a 'grip' strategy, developed by Prof Gerrie Smit, to assist homeless, street and out-of-school children, as well as their families living in conditions of extreme poverty.
This month's contribution is the third that Vodacom Foundation has made to the project since September 2005, and will help sustain it until March 2008. The Committee for Crime Prevention Northern Cape is a Section 21 company operating in the offices of the Premier of the Northern Cape.
As part of its grant, Vodacom will supply two Vodacom Community Services Public Phone containers. These will enable the project to generate a source of income to become sustainable in the long term.
The project forms part of Vodacom Foundation's safety and security portfolio, and is an expression of Vodacom's belief that a safe and secure environment is essential for every South African to fulfil their potential.
Mthobi Tyamzashe, Chairman of the Vodacom Foundation, said: "It is fitting that the focus in this project is on young people, since June is the month in which South Africans honour the role they play in our society. We are delighted at the opportunity to help at-risk youngsters be re-integrated into our society to make their own special contribution, both now and in the future as adults."
Speaking at the handover, the premier of the Northern Cape Province, Dipuo Peters, paid tribute to Vodacom for its "keen interest" in the progress and outcomes of the projects. She added that the two Community Services Public Phone Shops will constitute the first step in making the project financially self-sustainable.
"It is an important indication of Vodacom's commitment to forge lasting public/private partnerships for the benefit of social upliftment and of children in need," the premier noted.
In receiving the contribution, Judge Steenkamp said: "This project adopts a holistic approach, drawing together disadvantaged communities, social services, health, education and the police to address one of society's most pressing issues - that of at-risk children, particularly those whom we know as 'street children'. Today, we acknowledge Vodacom's willingness to contribute its financial resources to assist us in addressing the many needs facing our society."
The 'grip' strategy involves a multi-layered approach, including:
* Street outreach workers who motivate street children to go back to school and their families;
* Community-based street workers providing a link between communities and street workers and supporting children in the community; and
* Home schools. These are therapeutic units run by trained community members in their homes, each caring for a maximum of eight children per home.
The overall aim is to integrate at-risk children into formal education structures, thereby reducing their potential to become involved in crime, or rehabilitating them if they are already engaged in criminal activities.
In Kimberley, the project has created jobs for 30 community members. Two-hundred-and-fifteen children and 92 parents were involved, with 6 085 contacts made with children and 1 704 contacts with parents. Seventeen schools are included, while 950 contacts were made with teachers.
In the CBD, 823 contacts were made with businesses, while 294 contacts were made with departments, eg, social services, health, justice, home affairs and police services.
The project also works at providing long-term protection and support for vulnerable children.
During the period June 2006 to May 2007, the project was able to integrate 18 children back into their homes, 11 into home-based schools, and 15 into mainstream schools.
Eleven children living on the street were being monitored by the project, while 12 street children were again living in their homes. Ten had been integrated into a children's home, and another four into a place of safety.
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