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Unisa Gauteng closing the gap
South Africa’s unique combination of threats and circumstances presents a special challenge in the area of children at risk. Those who work with children at risk must be empowered to promote and facilitate the optimum development of children and adolescents with both normal and special developmental needs, to ensure that they are able to be effective within all contexts.
Lefika La Botshabelo is a community care centre offering a friendly, hospitable space to orphans and vulnerable children. The centre offers young families and children from the community fellowship, care, and love. Established in 2006 as a ministry of the Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pretoria, Tshwane, the target community is Stinkwater near Hammanskraal.
Lefika la botshabelo is a Setswana term which literally means God is my rock in whom I take refuge.
Dr Bunki Pitsoane (Head: Counselling Services, Gauteng Region)
After an assessment of their childcare workers was completed, the conclusion was reached that training of the healthcare workers was essential to optimise their performance.
Under the leadership of Dr Bunki Pitsoane, Head of Counselling Services at the Gauteng Region, the childcare workers received training according to their fields of expertise. This was done with the support of Unisa’s Tirisano Centre, which assisted by donating data for the childcare workers to connect virtually for part one and part two of the training. Part one of the training programme focused mainly on communication, report writing and facilitation while part two focused on the developmental stages of children.
Gloria Sephula, Administrative officer, Gauteng Region, conducted the first part of the training, which focused on communication. She used realistic scenarios to paint a picture of how to improve on communication skills especially when working with young developing minds who require patience, compassion and innovation.
Kagiso Mekoa, Student counsellor, Gauteng Region, further expanded on effective communication. He used the opportunity to interact with the trainees on the day by using various visuals that needed interpretation and feedback from the participants.
Pat Lethole, Regional Service Centre Manager, Ekurhuleni, based her training on the importance of facilitation. She reminded the trainees about their personal attributes and skills that could empower them when applied. Lethole further impressed upon them never to forget that the children in their care have had some traumatic challenges in life and that this placed a huge responsibility on their guardians. She encouraged childcare workers to help the children navigate life and rise above their challenges; she emphasised having both empathy and compassion.
Diksha Lala, Administrative officer, Gauteng Region, the final facilitator of the day, shared the importance of report writing and the role it plays in keeping records and ensuring that everything within the organisation is accounted for; it also facilitates productivity and successful running of the organisation.
The interactive workshop concluded on the second day where topics included the developmental stages of children. This part of the workshop was facilitated by Nono Thipe, Senior student counsellor, Gauteng Region, and Fhatuwani Makahane, Student counsellor, Ekurhuleni.
*By Millicent Nomzamo Matlombe, Trainee Career Guidance Practitioner, Gauteng Region
Publish date: 2021/08/17
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