Kids Club

How it all started?

This is our oldest project and how we all got involved in Zandspruit. After visiting the informal settlement of Zandspruit Honeydew beginning 2002 and witnessing the desperate living conditions of over 40 000 people, we felt the need to make a difference. As we were in the educational field, we felt a real urge to do something for the children of the community. We met with a local Pastor who suggested we start a care facility in the afternoons to keep the children from the streets and away from prostitution, drugs and alcohol.

And so the Golang Kids Club was born. What initially started off as a once a week "sandwiches and play afternoon", is now a five days a week cooked meal, holistic stimulating program. Our vision is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the children of Zandspruit where we treat them like very special individuals and guide them spiritually, emotionally and recreationally to be the best that God has intended them to be.

Our Team

We have a dedicated team of people, passionate about children and wanting to make a difference in their community. The bulk of the team consists of volunteers from different churches and organizations. We also have 10 employed child care workers, 2 cooks and 4 maintenance staff, all from the local Zandspruit community, who are exposed to regular training opportunities and have developed into a strong and committed team. This forms part of our commitment to make the project sustainable, as we want the community members to take ownership without outsiders' help. Our current onsite manager is Simphiwe Khumalo, a local lady, who has worked for 4 years as a volunteer before becoming employed. This shows the type of commitment we have!

The Programme

Our goal with the day to day program is to have a balance between free play and a structured stimulating environment. We therefore start everyday at 2pm with free play, then a structured activity and then lunch. The following is our repertoire of structured activities all presented by trained volunteers:

• Music and dance
• Storytelling
• Drama
• Sport and group games
• Art
• Library facilities
• Home work tutoring
• Movies
• Sexual abuse prevention programs as well as other value-based programs

Other Events

1. Maintenance Day:
We have three maintenance days during the year where we ask the parents and caregivers of the Kids Club children to get involved. On these days parents help with general maintenance and cleaning of the property. We have had a tremendous response from parents showing their gratitude and ownership in this way.
2. Grade 7 Camp:
Once a year we have a farewell camp to our Grade 7 pupils. This camp is held at a retreat in Magaliesburg with facilities such as abseiling, caving and swimming pool. Our focus is on equipping the children for high school with values and life skills such as social skills, peer pressure, conflict resolution, goal setting, being a child of God.
3. Child Care Worker Retreat:
This is a treat for our whole team and we have time not only for teambuilding but also for fun and soaking in the sun. It is held once a year at a retreat centre in the Magaliesberge.

Contact person

With any questions regarding the Kids Club, please contact Marietjie Steyn at 082 337 6242 or marietjie@golangoutreach.co.za

Photo album

Click here for the Photo album