Many children live in dire home situations. They are therefore taken out of this situation, because it is not responsible to let the child grow up there. Sometimes the mother is unable to provide for herself, let alone for a child. Some children are already rejected by their mother in the womb. Others face a difficult life due to hunger, neglect, domestic violence, assault or abuse. However complex the home situation is, the separation between the child and the biological parents is a breaking point in life and also a traumatic experience for a child.
Children from these crisis situations are placed with Goeie Hoop for 3-6 months. Often times, a Welfare Organization is tipped off by concerned neighbors or educators that something is wrong with a child. Usually it concerns children from the Townships. A Social Worker initiates an investigation and in many cases the situation is so serious that a safe place must be sought that same day. Goeie Hoop is the only government-recognized Crisis Center in the region, which means that the number of applications is high.
Goeie Hoop assesses the Social Worker's application on the basis of criteria such as age and background story and then determines whether the child can be admitted. After the case has been judged by the judge, the child is placed in the care of Goeie Hoop.
What does Goeie Hoop offer?
Goeie Hoop consists of a main building and 6 family units, each with 8 children and 2 youth care workers who work in withers. Youth care workers play an important role in the lives of the children. They are involved day and night and are therefore important when it comes to reporting and assessment. The social worker of Goeie Hoop is responsible for assessing the children in order to get a clear picture of their background, situation and development. The social worker, youth care workers, nurse and head of school affairs jointly draw up an individual development plan for the children. As a result of this IDP, a suitable follow-up project is being considered. This can be placement in a children's home, foster family, closed institution, shelter for addicts, etc. Some children are so traumatized that they need targeted therapy. Goeie Hoop uses (free) therapists when it comes to therapy for sexual abuse. For all other trauma and resulting behavioral problems, we rely on precious private therapists. As a result, we can only help a limited number of children. Goeie Hoop therefore has a vacancy (part-time) available for an experienced South African trauma therapist or play therapist.
Goeie Hoop consists of a main building and 6 family units, each with 8 children and 2 youth care workers who work in withers.
Youth care workers play an important role in the lives of the children. They are involved day and night and are therefore important when it comes to reporting and assessment.
The social worker of Goeie Hoop is responsible for assessing the children in order to get a clear picture of their background, situation and development.
The social worker, youth care workers, nurse and head of school affairs jointly draw up an individual development plan for the children. As a result of this IDP, a suitable follow-up project is being considered. This can be placement in a children's home, foster family, closed institution, shelter for addicts, etc.
Some children are so traumatized that they need targeted therapy. Goeie Hoop uses (free) therapists when it comes to therapy for sexual abuse.
For all other trauma and resulting behavioral problems, we rely on precious private therapists. As a result, we can only help a limited number of children. Goeie Hoop therefore has a vacancy (part-time) available for an experienced South African trauma therapist or play therapist.
Facilities and activities
Since December 2016, Goeie Hoop has its own swimming pool. Although Goeie Hoop is located a 7-minute drive from the beach, there is still a risk of losing children on a crowded beach. Also because of the runaway behavior of the teenagers, it is safer to provide cooling on the site.
The children can also lose their energy in the vegetable garden of Goeie Hoop. Caring for and making hands dirty has a therapeutic effect and is healing.
The "big barn" with its stage, sound system and space to accommodate a large group of people is popular for music and drama. We also hold a Bible club for the children here every week and there are crafts, table tennis, bingo evenings or a nice movie.
Bible clubs
It is poignant to see how people in the Townships around the Goeie Hoop house struggle to survive. Many finally lose their way with all the misery that entails. Goeie Hoop brings the message of Faith, Hope and Love through Children's Bible Clubs and Bible study groups. We show them the Way to Jesus. They discover the Truth through the Holy Spirit and receive the Life after which they searched for so long. A life from the realization that God loves them and that they are valuable. But also the realization that living according to God's commandments is healing for their relationships, their psyche and their body. They begin to make different choices and draw strength from God's promise that He can and will change their situation when they obediently follow and serve Him. Restore relationships when children and adults begin to wonder; "What would Jesus do?" And that gives Hope!
