Uviwe, meaning ‘you are heard’ in the isiXhosa language, Child & Youth Services is a registered child protection organisation in the vibrant city of Gqeberha (formerly known as
Port Elizabeth). The organisation is registered as a Non Profit Organization with number 003-620 NPO and partners with local communities, schools and daycare centers in especially the Northern Areas of Gqeberha to offer and implement integrated education and social support
programmes. Their programmes focus on vulnerable children & youth from the areas of Schauderville and Gelvandale.
The aim is to provide children during different development phases with love, food (nutrition), safety (protection) and stimulation (education support) to reach their full potential. Their programs equip teens with the necessary skills for their life’s journey ahead and enable them to be economically aware and active citizens. Over the past 100 years, what began as specialist organisation PE Childline, and to protect the rights of abused children has grown into a sustainable social agency in the city. Uviwe uses a holistic view respecting that those closest to the problem know best to create the solution and therefore use the strengths of each family to facilitate change. At the core of all decisions made, Uviwe has the child’s best interest at heart.
Uviwe believes that we need to listen and hear the untold or silent stories of many “at risk” children and youth in our communities. They believe in putting young futures first!
Volunteers will be actively involved in various programmes such as:
- Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) which is a daycare center for children in the ages of 3-6yrs. Volunteers will be working together with the staff to assist with the daily activities, games, lunch time and educational activities.
- Assisting social workers with their 4 day Positive Parenting Training. During a period of 6-8 weeks, 6-9 parents (depending on the need) are guided on how to be better parents. Volunteers assist with registrations, taking pictures and documenting the meetings, implementing the training and helping to improve where possible.
- Assisting at the daily Afterschool Program from 2pm-4pm where 40-50 children from grade 4 – 7 (ages 10-13yrs) get something to eat and assistance with their homework. When homework is completed it is time to play and enjoy the various fun activities. Volunteers can read to the children and offer other fun and educational activities to add value to our team. Fridays are fun days so no homework but only activities such as sports, watching a movie or playing games.
- Holiday Program which during school holidays offers the children a daily program which keeps them from hanging around in the streets with all the dangers there are in the community where many young people end up doing crime and/or abusing drugs and alcohol.
