2011 Report - Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children

Air your dirty laundry campaign
diary extract of a reSident
My (berading) sessies wat ek by Eerste Begin gekry het,
het my weer eens laat glo daar is hoop – jy moet net aan
hou self glo, en vir jou self glo, en vir jou self vra ”gaan ek
tou opgooi of gaan ek aanhou?” want dit wat jy glo, sal
vir jou waar word. Want dis wat my ‘n sterker vrou in 2011
gemaak het.
Translation: The (counselling) sessions I received at
Eerste Begin enabled me to believe, once again, that
there is hope and that you must continue to believe in
yourself and to ask yourself “am I going to give up or
am I going to persevere?” because what you believe, will
become reality. This is what has made me a stronger
woman in 2011.
(Extract from a diary of a resident who had killed her
husband as a result of prolonged abuse.)
We find that, by the time the women
leave the residential programme,
their attitudes are generally more
positive about the future than when
they arrived. We find, however,
that many become attached to
the residential programme, which
makes it difficult for them to leave.
The biggest challenge the women
encounter is securing jobs and
accommodation when they leave
the residential programme.
During the year ahead, we would
like to create more income
generating opportunities for
residents by introducing additional
arts and crafts projects and by starting a vegetable
garden. We intend to continue monitoring and
evaluating our current structured programme to ensure
that it remains effective and relevant. Staff development
and support will continue to be a priority as a way to
ensure growth and development. We are proud to have
extended our awareness-raising programmes to the
surrounding farm areas in order to empower women
in the rural areas. We are also in discussion with the
social worker in Rawsonville and the chairperson of the
Farmers Association in the Brandwacht area.
In conclusion, the residential programme staff members
wish to thank all our funders, donors and volunteers for
their ongoing support and assistance. Special thanks to
Cape Winelands District Municipality, Shoprite, Clicks,
People’s Church, Worcester Hospital, Susan Neethling
and Mrs Everts.
2011 Annual Review
25