WANcareerlife: More than half of the children in SA live in poverty-UN

Opportunities should be created for youth to blossom

Southern Africa faces an increasing orphan crisis due the HIV and AIDS pandemic, crisis or other causes. According to surveys, about 43 million children in the Southern Africa region do not have parents. They are also susceptible to violence, hunger and other abuses.

The UN estimates that more than half of the children in South Africa live in poverty. The HIV/AIDS epidemic which is sweeping the nation is leaving South Africa with a population of millions of orphans and vulnerable children. 1 in 5 children are orphans in South Africa and it is estimated that these figures will rise to 1 in 3 by 2015. (MRC, 2007)

This large number strains systems by which families and communities have traditionally provided care for orphans. Support for some orphans is being provided by a variety of government, community and non-governmental organizations, but this assistance reaches only a small percentage of those who need it.

The future of these children is usually not too bright as most are not adopted and have to fend for themselves, lacking work skills, many of these orphans and vulnerable children are destined to a life of poverty.

Jewels of Hope strive to provide a solution to this problem by using some forward thinking entrepreneurial ideas.

Jewels of Hope serves by designing marketable jewellery, sourcing and buying raw materials, preparing bead kits, providing training in the production process, child development and opening access to markets.

“We believe it is part of the solution to develop children from a point of despair to becoming confident and competent young citizens, empowered to build a self-reliant future for themselves”, says Janine Ward, Co-CEO at Jewels of Hope.

“Donating to charity is of course a wonderful thing, but the face of charity is increasingly taking an entrepreneurial character and thus it is crucial for the children to develop artisanal skills”, she added

Through this empowerment initiative, children are taught to be self supporting, they stop worrying about the next meal, but start building on self confidence and respect. By giving them the ability to provide for their family and others, they can feel a sense of accomplishment and pride and look forward to their future.

They have also created an environment within the organization where children are motivated to take proactive steps in preparing for their futures

Jewels of Hope provide tools to churches and community organizations to establish Connect Groups, with five children between the ages of 11 and 18 years, assisted by an adult who not only acts as a jewellery trainer but also as a mentor and support for the difficult life situations the children face. This group meets weekly and provides a means for personal growth, income generation and life skills for vulnerable children, without them missing school.

Jewels of Hope also help these children grow spiritually, by creating a safe space for them to work through various mentorship booklets with the Trainer, sharing life’s challenges and praying together.

The organization began in 2004 as a single support group with 11 children from child-headed households, who made jewellery to support themselves. Ideas and systems developed and this group became a model which has been extended through partnerships to other locations in Africa.