Overview of Ethembeni CCC
Ethembeni Crisis Care Centre (also known as Ethembeni) is a registered section 21 Non-Profit Organization (NPO), which was founded in 2003, based at eMangangeni in KwaNdengezi Township, Ward 12 of eThekwini Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal province. KwaNdengezi is demarcated by three geographical areas which are Pitoli, Loxion area, Amanganga and Zwelibomvu, based in ward 1
00 which are ruled by a chieftaincy leadership. The shelter provides psychosocial support to survivors who are admitted in the shelter for a minimum of 3 to 6 months. Ethembeni’s purpose is to counsel abused people, train volunteers and conduct awareness campaigns in the community and schools. In 2003, the founder of Ethembeni, Abegail Mbongwa-Dlame realized the need to establish local Community Based Organization (CBO) due to the increasing numbers of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC), high rates of abuse of women and children through domestic violence, poverty, and lack of information on human rights. Towards the end of 2004, Operation Jumpstart leased a house which was converted into two offices and a shelter for abused women and children – Ethembeni, which means Place of Hope. For many years the organization’s core focus had been eradicating domestic violence along with other social ills like HIV/AIDS. However, through the organization’s experience and the variety/diverse cases that were reported and referred to the centre, it was discovered that these social ills derive from Gender Based Violence which was termed an ‘’Umbrella Factor to social ills”. Research informs their advocacy strategy. Through involvement of traditional leaders, COGTA and DoJ& CD issues of children without birth certificates and adults without identity documents were resolved. Vision
Ethembeni’s vision is to contribute towards the reduction of GBV in KwaNdengezi by:
• Pycho- social support the survivors of GBV and their children, and
• Empowering women and children in KwaNdengezi and surrounding townships through awareness campaigns and education programs on GBV. Mission
To protect, support and accommodate abused women and children in the shelter and also provide support to the survivors of Trafficking In Persons, Domestic Violence, HIV/AIDS and other related social ills. The organization seeks to achieve its vision and mission through:
• Introducing the gist of Gender Based Violence to the community through research, forming practical solutions that will help reduce the epidemic of GBV in societies.
• Educating the community through training of volunteers and conducting awareness campaigns in the community and schools.
• Offering psychosocial support and counselling to survivors of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse.
• Assisting unemployed abused women to initiate and run economically viable micro-businesses.
• Eradicating Domestic and Gender Based Violence and thus have a GBV free community.
• Restore hope to survivors of GBV and related social ills. ECCC services are aimed particularly at reducing the high levels of violence against women and children in KwaNdengezi Township, where women and girl children are constant victims of gender based violence. ECCC has implemented the following programmes:
• Shelter for abused Women and Children: Offering shelter to survivors of Gender Based Violence, especially women and children
• Men’s and Boy’s Programme: The centre offers a platform where men and boys discuss different issues (dialogues), and conduct schools, churches and community awareness campaigns, encouraging old men to groom young boys to manhood.
• Psycho-social counselling for survivors of gender-based violence: Offering individual and group support to survivors of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
• NPO Incubation: This is the component that grooms and provides mentorship to new NPOs to comply with the NPO Act and encourage them to work in their areas to eradicate GBV and poverty. ECCC is funded by the Rotary Club for this incubation project.
• Sewing Group (Skills Development): ECCC is running a sewing skills development program funded by the Edcon Orange Campaign Project. The organization offers sewing skills to survivors and supply school uniforms to schools in KwaNdengezi.
• Youth and Schools’ Programme: Facilitating group discussions for all ages, boys and girls in schools regarding Gender Based Violence.
• Community Education Programme: The organization offers community education programmes, group discussions/dialogues at street level to educate and raise awareness of GBV.
• Sports Development: Unearthing local talent and using sports such as soccer, netball, athletics and tennis to change lives of boys and girls, motivating boys and girls to achieve their goals, to have a sense of identity and high self-esteem.
• Support Group: The organization started a support group for young girls who are young mothers to talk about their challenges of being young mothers. The organisation also works with Lifeline to provide skills to these young mothers and women who receives services from the shelter.
• Drop-in Centre for babies: ECCC started a drop-in centre in Ndengezi Intermediate School where young mothers drop off their babies whilst they attend classes. This is to ensure that young women and girls remain and finish school.
• Shushuzela Care Centre: Ethembeni started Shushuzela Care Centre which cares for neglected children who are left with their grandparents by irresponsible parents. This care is made possible by the Rotary Club.
• Graceland Home for the elderly: This home for the elderly was started by ECCC to take care of senior citizens and provide them with food parcels and sports programme to keep them occupied.
• Training opportunities for women: This programme is implemented in partnership with the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to train women for employment opportunities so they can take care of themselves and their children.
• Skills Development: Ethembeni CCC has managed to start a technical school at Ndengetho High School for those learners who are not academically performing well or do not meet the education curriculum requirements. Pinetown Rotary club had fully funded this initiative and have managed to put machinery for the welding class and woodwork.
