Heatherdale Childrens Home

Thanks to the vision of the late Rev. and Mrs. Mason, it was started in an old farmhouse on a spacious piece of ground made available to the church by the late Rev. T.E. March in 1929.

Initially the home catered for orphaned girls and girls in need of care.  As time went by the needs of the community changed in such a way that a greater emphasis was placed on the needs of all children at risk.  During this time, the home has seen many changes thanks to the tireless efforts of many dedicated workers and volunteers.

Currently the home caters for 60 children (30 boys and 30 girls).  These childrens ages' range from two to eighteen years old.  They have been placed with us through the Children's Court.  We admit those whose lives have been traumatised and disrupted by one or other social problems, eg.

• different types of abuse and molestation
• neglect and desertion
• behavioural problems
• parents who are in prison or awaiting trial.

Although Heatherdale receives a state subsidy, it covers but a percentage of its daily running costs.  Additional funds to run the Home efficiently are therefore an absolute necessity.  We have a fund-raising committee that has to look at ways and means to raise these funds.  At present, we have two major fundraising events annualy: the fete (first Saturday in October) and a street collection.  Although we have a pre-Christmas dinner as another fundraising effort, it is not really an attempt to raise a substantial amount of money - it has become more of a tradition over the years to arrange it as a get-together of those who have been working so tirelessly for the benefit of Heatherdale.

We also send out numerous letters of appeal to organisations and companies - many of which meet with favourable response, while others without any.  We are extremely grateful to our regular donars who have supported us so loyally over the years - without their assistance, Heatherdale would not have been able to exist for 70 years!  Different organisations and individual members of teh church and the surrounding community have also been a tremendous source of inspiration - both spiritually and materially.

Our little ones attend a crèche while the rest are at primary and high schools in the area.  The pupils have met with various degrees of success at their respective schools over the years.  One of our ex-residents, Nina Plaatjies, recently graduated from the University of Cape Town - B.A (Social Work).  We are extremely proud of her achievements, as she had to go through quite a rough time during her studies.  We were fortunate to have assisted her financially towards the end of her studies.

The children are actively involved in sport (softball, soccer, volleyball and karate).  Our softball team won the knockout final of their division - quite an achievement if one considers that it happened in only their second season of playing softball.  They also partake in other cultural activities such as Youth fellowship, camps and outings arranged by the staff, youth groups, churches and other organisations in the community.

While we attend to their physical needs, our programme also strives to build and develop the children spiritually and emotionally.  Our spiritual support is of paramount importance and we always strive to maintain a high standard in that respect.  We have devosions twice a day - in the morning after breakfast and in the evening after supper.  The children are totally involved in it and it is a treat to hear them sing.  We have been invited to sing at different churches from time to time.

We are grateful to have been blessed with a loyal and dedicated staff.  They are always willing to give more that what is expected of them.  Together we strive to create and maintain a homely atmosphere where both children and staf can feel loved, secure and protected - and, God willing, help the children re-enter the community as productive members of society.  With the help of God and the community out there, we feel confident that we can replace:

• weakness with strength of body and mind
• ignorance with education and insight
• fear with God's promise of love and mercy, and
• insecurity with confidence - so that when they leave here, they may take their rightful place in society as mature and responsible adults

"Treat a man as he is, and he will stay as he is; but treat a man as if he was becoming what he could become, and he will become it."  Goethe

P O Box 197
Athlone
7760

Veld Road
Belgravia
Athlone

Current account # 07 1 49 82 81
Standard Bank
Rondebosch Branch