Early Childhood Development (ECD) unit
For the POP programme it is essential that we reach children as soon as possible, supporting them and their families through the difficult adjustments of a new birth and family integration.
The POP Programme provides care during the first 1000 days of a child’s life and we focus on 3 areas:
- Ante Natal Classes: For Pregnant women and couples
- Our Baby Unit: Is offered for children between the ages of 4 months to three years. (0-3)
- Crèche and Pre-School: Which caters for 145 children (with special attention given to children identified as struggling with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Grade R
Here our children (5 – 6 years old) have the opportunity to acquire the necessary educational tools needed in preparation for Grade 1, in accordance with the Department of Educational guidelines.
Youth-at-Risk Bootcamps
The objective of the Youth-at-Risk Programme is to address bullying behaviour and promote positive development among young learners through school partnerships, weekend camps, follow-up reports, and counselling services. By confronting bullying, we aim to eliminate one of the systemic obstacles contributing to youth disengagement and mental health challenges, thereby enabling young individuals to fully engage in their education and community life.
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Holiday Programmes
For children and Youth providing fun, educational and creative activities as well as a hot meal each day during these long periods of no school activity often means a child has the opportunity to return prepared to school the following term ready and eager. Providing a safe space and food for children during long periods of school break is essential in securing their return and continued commitment to their future and education.
Parent Training
We offer workshops throughout the year for people wanting to acquire skills to be great functioning participatory parents in their childrens lives
- Father and Son Workshop
- Teacher Parent meetings (quarterly meetings)
- Men’s Group (monthly meeting)
Care for the Planet
The POP programme is committed to creating environmental awareness in local communities. A Permaculture garden at Goedgedacht Farm provides training in growing vegetables, for young people. We are concerned about the effect that climate change will have on poverty in this rapidly warming and dry area of South Africa. In the absence of jobs the rural poor need the skills that enable them to feed themselves and their families.
- We Currently have organic gardens at each of the POP centres which provides fresh food for meals to the POP Centres for the preschool and after school projects.
- Food security: Emergency food and E-Pap (a highly nutritious maize based product) is made available to families in need, particularly children, the elderly and those on anti-retroviral medical treatments.
Adult Projects
We realise that the parents of our youth also occasionally need support, so we run workshops throughout the year for both men and women who are interested in personal development.
We currently run:
- Men’s Group (who meet on a monthly basis)
- Adult training workshops: Health, HIV/AIDS, TB, parenting skills, support groups, antenatal classes etc.
Community Activities
We believe in community getting involved so we enjoy gathering our communities together for thing such as Choir Competitions, Our new Marching Brass Band, Sports Days, and celebrating National Holidays of service such as Mandela Day.
Family Support and Documentation
Our Qualified Social Worker is here to visit farms and help in any way they can. One of the ways we help to empower local farm workers is to assist them in acquiring the relevant documentation they may need: Birth certificates for their children, Identity Documents, access to social grants if needed such as Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant and a grant for Old Age Pensioners. Our dedicated and Kind social worker will do everything she can to ensure farming families know their rights and are treated well.