A Hout Bay NGO is looking for a counsellor or therapist who is willing to volunteer their time to help vulnerable children.
Khaya le Themba, near Imizamo Yethu, supports up to 120 children in Grades 1 to 6 daily, according to director Sara Clarke.
In October, the NGO turned a disused storage room into a Calming Corner where children could retreat to take a breather when feeling overwhelmed.
“We take on 30 children a year at age 6, and they are chosen based on the level of trauma they have endured,” said Ms Clarke, adding that the amount of trauma she was seeing in the children was increasing.
“I had this room restored in the hope that one day we would have a counsellor or therapist of some sort come on board and do some work with our most vulnerable children,” Ms Clarke said.
A team of volunteers has painted the room to make it appealing to children.
“Some interns of ours from Denmark took their time out to assist our site manager, Phila Nogwavu, to paint the walls a bright yellow colour. We received some calming posters and Hout Bay resident Tracy Symons donated a couch. Amy Kropman also donated some soft flooring too.
“This room will now be used for children that are overwhelmed with traumatic events in their life. They may need to cry, to talk, to sleep, to play, or just need a quiet space.
“Our dream is to have a counsellor or therapist who can assist us by volunteering at the Calming Corner. The community can get involved by donating any soft toys, cushions, mindfulness resources, or therapeutic toys to the space for us to use with our children.“
To help, contact Sara Clarke at 079 092 2952 or ikhayalethemba.org.za.
