9 17 6 - Correctional Services

R E H A B I L I TAT I O N
Orphanage helped
By Kennedy Botha
Tshwaraganang orphanage in Hammanskraal
has been fortunate to be “adopted” by officials
at Pretoria’s remand detention facility recently.
Like most other places of safety there is not always enough
resources for all the beneficiaries.
The orphanage takes care of about 150 children, some
of whom are not orphans in the strictest sense of the word but
simply destitute and neglected children. About 50 children reside
permanently at the orphanage.
At a ceremony on 21 August this year, Area Commissioner
Ms Grace Molatedi and Koos Gerber, Head of the remand detention
centre made their intentions clear about focusing their
anti-poverty efforts and community service on the orphans at
Twsharaganang.
Money, food, clothing, school uniforms and toiletries were donated
by the members of centre. Some officials also donate
money on a monthly basis to the orphanage.
I
had been away from my family and loved
ones for a long time and I had grown and
changed so much in those years. I was
convicted and sentenced to prison for a serious
crime after I became involved with the
wrong person.
There were many decisions I had to make
before my life changed for the better. I had
to learn to take responsibility for my own actions
and the consequences which followed.
I also had to accept the responsibility of making
new choices that will positively change
my life. I had to choose to bring out the best
JULY/AUGUST 2009
Area Commissioner Grace Molatedi hands over goodies to the
children
Sense of belonging:
parolee Ansune
Putter (back row, 3rd
from right) has been
welcomed back
into the fold of her
family.
The power of forgiveness
A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT By parolee Ansune Putter
After having spent six and a half years in prison, I did not quite
know what to expect the day of my release on parole.
in myself and allow this to positively affect
people around me.
I was a juvenile when I went to prison. My
future looked bleak with a long sentence. But
I soon realised that I had to do something to
change my own destiny. I completed grade
12 within the first year of my incarceration
and went on to complete a degree in psychology.
On the day I walked out of prison, I was
halfway through completing an honours degree
in psychology. These achievements had
however not come easily. It took hard work
and much dedication.
On 2 September the orphanage was visited again and donations
were once again handed over. Members are looking forward
to visit the orphanage during December to give Christmas
presents to the children.
There is a familiar song about a convict being
released from prison, asking his beloved
to tie a yellow ribbon around an old oak tree,
which will be a sign for him being welcomed
back home. As he drove into town, he saw
not one, but hundred yellow ribbons around
the tree.
Those exceptional people
who are willing to forgive our
wrongdoings and who are
prepared to offer us a second
chance in life are hugely
important.
As we drove into my home town on the day
of my release, there were hundreds of yellow
ribbons around the trees stretching from
the town hall all the way to my home. These
were symbols of being welcomed back to
where I truly belonged. It was a sign of acceptance
and love from my loved ones and
of their joy that I was reunited with them. I
knew for certain then that I was welcomed in
their hearts and in their lives.
What makes rehabilitation work?
We can ponder the issue of effective rehabilitation
within Correctional Services. Over
and above one’s participation in the rehabilitation
system, the ultimate choice lies within
the individual. This does not diminish the
impact that wonderful people who cross our
path have on us. Those exceptional people
who are willing to forgive our wrongdoings
and who are prepared to offer us a second
chance in life are hugely important. They are
the angels who give us wings to fly.
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