“DIE OMGEE PROGRAM/THE CARING PROGRAMME”

DIE OMGEE PROGRAM

Bethany House is awesome.

Al die verandringe hier maak mens mal jy moet nuwe gewoontes en reëls na kom.Maar aan die einde van die dag is alles net vir ons om ons lewestyle te verbeter. Ja die kinders maak mens moeg, kwaad, en geiereteerd maar hulle is my familie en sal altyd bly “no matter what”.  Ek bly nou al amper 7 jaar hier ja ek raak moeg van elke dag se selfde ding oor en oor maar die deel van lewe.

As dit nie vir Bethany House was nie sou die kinders hier nie so lekker lewe soos nou nie.  Vir die mense daar byte wat niks van ons weet nie gaan na www.childincrisis.org.za en deel met ons julle geselskap ons sal vrae antw. Maar niks persoonlik aan ‘n kind se lewe.  Julle is meer as welkom om by ons te kuier en vir ons wys julle is deel van ons.  Al bly julle nie hier nie kom gee die kinders ‘n dag vol prêt en omgee.

Blog my enige tyd en ons sal julle meer inligting gee oor die “Awesomste” plek in die gemeentskap en sluit in by die Omgee Program.

                                                                -  Selandi (15 jaar oud)

NEEM ASB KENNIS DAT INDIEN U ONS KINDERS WIL BESOEK, U EERS DIE “ALTERNATIVE PARENTING PROGRAMME” MOET VOLTOOI

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(Translated for the English speakers)

THE CARING PROGRAMME

Bethany House is awesome.

All the changes here can make a person crazy, as you must get used to new habits and rules. However at the end of the day is everything for us to improve our lifestyle.  Yes the children makes a person tired, angry and irritated but they are my family and will always stay that “no matter what”.  I am staying here almost 7 years and yes I do get tired of every day the same thing over and over but it is part of life. 

If it was not for Bethany House the children here would not have such a good life as now.  For the people out there that doesn’t know anything about us go see www.childincrisis.org.za and share with us your thoughts and we will answer questions (but nothing personal about a child’s life).  You are also welcome to come and visit and to show us you are part of us.  Even if you do not stay here you can still give the children a day full of fun and caring.

Blog me any time and we will give you more information about the “awesomest” place in the community and join in the Caring programme.

                                                      -  Selandi (15 years old)

 PLEASE NOTE THAT BEFORE YOU CAN VISIT OUR CHILDREN YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE AN ALTERNATIVE PARENTING PROGRAMME.  

Monash University Christmas Party

I was quite excited to go to the Monash University party with the children on Saturday.  It’s been a while since I’ve gone anywhere with them and I was looking forward to it.

It was a lovely warm day and the University students had done quite a bit of organising.  They had various games ready for the children and there were eats and some presents.  

It was a bitter sweet day for me and here is the reason why:  some of our children were put into a social setting that illustrated just how vulnerable and shy they still were.  Then there were children who I suddenly realised had built up so much confidence they were blossoming.

I got the opportunity to watch our children dance including a little girl who danced her heart out infront of strangers (when she first came to Bethany House she wouldn’t even look at anyone), to walk through a sprayer with one of the young children (I think she was in shock that I allowed it but she wanted to do it again afterwards) and to see that us loving our children makes a whole lot of difference in them.

I want to thank our Child Care Workers who’s love for the children have created an opportunity for them to thrive again or as someone called it “our children were free”.

I must also add that we had a group of our staff members play against the Monash University’s staff netball team.  Yes, we were out played (most of us haven’t played in YEARS) but we had fun anyway. I was very impressed to hear that the Monash University staff team practiced during their lunch breaks (you could tell that they work hard at it) and were motivated to be really good players. I take my hat off to them.

So, THANK YOU very much Monash University students for including us in your Christmas Party, it was lovely!

Children at Play

Looking out of the window I can see most of the children playing in the sandpit. There are lots of laughter and quite a few demands to having things done in a specific way. And surprisingly there is peace between the different ages (and genders).

Often when people visit the Children’s Home one of their first reactions are “shame the poor children”. Yes, there is an aspect of sadness because they should be safely at home with their own parents. My usual response is that these children are just like any child and today this is proven in their play.

I wish you could see them rolling sand into balls and placing them neatly next to each other (I’m not sure why …. Maybe for a sand-ball fight?) Whatever for, today is a day of sunshine and joy at Bethany House.

I might just go outside and join in; and they will be welcoming because our children are always open hearted and ready to show us adults a fun time.

Fruits of a Positive Word

For the session with the Ikusasa guys today I decided to write down a positive word for each one.  This word is how I see them.

The first process was to think about each one and to remember my first impressions and how I see them now.  I have not once felt anything but respect from them and their desire to be the best that they can be.  They amaze me each time I’m with them!

Then I shared each one’s word with the group and explained why I felt this best described the person.  Well …. there was teasing, laughing and loud denials from the spectators.  However, I stuck to my chosen words and I believe each boy appreciated what I had said.  To share the positive words “tailor made” for each one showed me again just how special the boys are!

It had been a good session I thought and I was satisfied with how it had gone.  Then I was told they were going to write down words to describe me;  AND what a blessing this was! Talk about a way to soften anyone’s heart.

The fruit of a positive word is an easy tool that has far reaching consequences for the one giving and the one receiving.  I recommend it.

When we ask ….. God answers ….

This morning during devotions we were told that due to human error our finances have not come through.  This means no money for food, petrol and salaries.  Now, this is BAD NEWS for all! When there are no more answers we pray.  So we prayed; we joined hands and prayed for God’s assistance. Then we went back to work.

Less than two hours later we were blessed with sponsors who gave enough money to cover food and petrol for a while.  I’ve learnt a few lessons since working at Bethany House: one is that when there is no other avenue it’s not that we have reached a dead end.  Secondly God’s the answer, in both physical needs (e.g. the money) and in spiritual upliftment. 

There is still a long way to go to cover all our costs before the error can be fixed, but today I want to thank God for all He is and does.  I also want to thank those people who sponsored their money and to tell them that they have blessed Bethany House’s people in so many ways. Thank you!

DSTV Social Investment Initiative CARE

May we ask you to look at the following please:

DSTV is currently running a corporate social investment initiative called CARE.  Nominated charities stand a chance to get R200 000-00 in ‘support’ from DSTV.  

To stand a chance, Bethany House Trust needs to be nominated by multiple persons, multiple times. 

PLEASE send a SMS(or few sms’s) to DSTV to nominate BETHANY HOUSE TRUST. It will cost you R1-50 per sms.  SMS: “Care Bethany House Trust, Krugersdorp” TO: 32510.

Thank you.

God’s Beautiful Dancers

What a blessing our children are for us!

Today in devotions (which we have each morning) the girls danced for us. 

I stood there with such a soft heart watching them.  They are beautiful.  Their gentle movements and their focus was a lesson for me.  Yes we are there for them, but as the one prayed they are there for us too.

We can definitely learn from them:  They stood up early to get ready for us (considering they are on holiday. who wants to wake up early in winter?!) and even though (as the one mentioned) she was scared she did it anyway.

God’s heart must have been bursting with pride and joy when He watched them do their worship dance because I can assure you mine was.