A safe haven at Jonah Home

The Jonah Home for Children is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children in need, says Chere-Lee Diergaardt who is responsible for fundraising and public relations, adding that their mission is to offer a home that is not only safe and clean but one that the children can take pride in.

The home also aims to support young adults who, upon turning 18, must leave the facility. “We assist them in finding a job, a place to stay, and provide any help we can to get them onto their own two feet and become productive adults.”

Currently, the home cares for 18 children, ranging from babies as young as two months to teenagers up to 18 years old. The facility also employs an in-house mother and five caregivers who work in shifts to ensure the children's needs are met.

Diergaardt highlighted that funding remains a significant challenge. "Apart from receiving N$450 per child per month from the government, all funds that we currently receive are completely dependent on donations from corporate and private entities," she says.

In light of this, the home relies heavily on community contributions to cover essential expenses such as food, toiletries, baby supplies, school materials, and caregiver salaries. "Food is our biggest expense."

To address these financial constraints, the home organises various fundraising events throughout the year.

Their next event is an outdoor garage sale scheduled for 28 September at Dunes Mall. The home seeks donations of any usable items that can be sold to raise funds. Community members are also encouraged to join the volunteer WhatsApp group where they can offer assistance with specific needs as they arise.

Further challenges

The facility faces additional challenges beyond funding, including maintaining the physical structure of the home. "We simply do not have a budget for maintenance," Diergaardt says, citing issues such as a leaking roof, aged plumbing, flaking paint and cracked tiles. The home also lacks a standard playground, making it difficult to keep the children entertained.

Despite these hurdles, the home continues to make a positive impact on the lives of the children in its care. Although the facility has not been operational long enough to see many of its children reach career milestones, there are already success stories. Two young men, supported by a sponsor in the mining sector, are currently studying at NIMT - one is completing his welder certificate and will start an apprenticeship in October, while the other is progressing toward becoming an electrician. Another success story involves a young girl who is working as a child carer in the Netherlands while furthering her studies with the help of her host family.

The home also celebrates academic achievements, with some children excelling in school, even reaching positions like head boy, while others are showing their mettle on the sports field. The older children are being assisted with obtaining their learner's and driver's licences, which Diergaardt believes will be one of their successful endeavours.

Furthermore, the home provides various factors including the children's emotional and psychological well-being, physical health, academic progress and skill development. They also maintain long-term contact with children who have left the home to track their ability to integrate into society and lead productive lives.

"By combining these methods, we gain a comprehensive view of how our services are shaping the children’s lives, allowing us to continuously improve and adapt ourselves to better meet their needs," Diergaardt concludes.

She urges the community to get involved and help support these children who deserve a chance to thrive in a nurturing environment. She can be contacted at 081 618 4108.