Monthly Report March 09

Monthly Report from Clara Fernau, March 2009

1. Casework

Activities	Progress	Challenges	Plan to overcome the challenges
I practiced Guitar with M.	She is not learning much because we don’t have the sessions regularly.		To find a fix date when we both have time.
I went with P.&D. to SOCA.	They are doing well and enjoying the program.	I must still check if the form from SOCA is filled in properly.	I will talk to Leonie.
I did homework with T.	She is doing well. That time she wasn’t concentrated but tried her best. She is understanding fastly.
Painting with S.	I prepared the colors and papers and we sat down together. She was so happy that someone spent time with her and just be with her. She made some great and colorful pictures.	I talked to her about her paintings but she didn’t seem to understand me. She painted a fish and the Lerato house. We talked about the fish and the sea around it but she didn’t want to paint the sea.	I will paint with her soon but I don’t think something will be different. I just want her to paint whatever she likes but then talk about it.

Group work

Activities	Progress	Challenges	Plan to overcome the challenges
I had a Housemeeting at Tswelelang without Patricia (housemother).	The girls were talkative and complained about many things. I noted it in the book and brought it to the staff meeting on Friday.	The girls complained a lot and told me things which they already told the housemother, so there was kind of a mess.	We sorted that out on the Staffmeeting.
I went to SOCA with Ninas kids.	They just went there and didn’t participate in anything.	It was not well organized and I told them to decide for one thing so we can put them on the list at SOCA.	I gave everything to Iris because she is responsible for Ninas Unit.
Henry and I planned the Open talk for a Thursday.	When we got there we just found 2-3 girls so we left again.	We informed them before but unfortunately D., P. and M. were at a rehearsal for the choir at church.	Next time we must inform them at the house meeting so we can talk about everything there and sort problems out.
We came the week after to have the open talk. The topic was trust.	All the girls were there. The atmosphere was nice and cozy. Henry was on leave but the new volunteers helped me out. Especially Stephens did a good job because he asked them a lot of question and was able to lead the conversation.	It took too long so the girls were tired at the very end.	Next time we must start at 6.30 and we also must inform the housemother so she can make sure they finished dinner when we come.

3. Administration

Activities	Progress	Challenges	Plan to overcome the challenges
Iris and me we exchanged for two weeks. I worked at Tswelelang and she worked at Lerato House. It was for her to get to know the daily life and for me to solve some problems there and to organize.	Actually Iris didn’t learn much because she was familiar with the daily life for the girls. The time was alright for me. I managed to organize some of these tings.	It was difficult to communicate with Patricia. I have the feeling she didn’t really want to listen to me because I’m ‘just a volunteer’. For example we had issues when the mattresses came; she wanted it to be done her way but didn’t even listen to me. When we did it the way I wanted it to be, I think she felt insulted.	Petricia is gone and we just made a plan who of the volunteers will be where. I will be from Tuesday till Thursday at Tswelelang and Kathrin will be there Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays.
I changed the arrangement of the furniture in the study room.	Now it looks more brighter, there is more space to use the computer and it is a nicer atmosphere for learning.	There are many many things in the room which are not needed for example the broken ‘piano’ or the two screens for computers.	I must talk to Martha where we can put his stuff.
In March we got three new Volunteers from China, Pacific Islands and Zambia.	In the beginning I thought we are too many but now that Henry is on leave it is just perfect. They do a great job, especially Annie because she prepared the Easter garden all by herself and Stevens who went with Sheryl to Cullinan. He also helps the girls with Homework a lot.
Me, Annie and Arietta went to the Zoo to ask for free permission.	We had a nice talk with the responsible woman but unfortunately later on we received a fax where she refused to give us discount.	Now we must pay the amount of 40.00 R per girl who is older than 15 years old.	Luckily we have some donations from Germany from where we can use the money.
One day I had to bring Aus Jane to the airport because she was attending a workshop about Human Trafficking in Durban.	Everything went well.

Outreach

Activities	Progress	Challenges	Plan to overcome the challenges
In Prison was a girl from Zimbabwe and she was going to be released the week after.	I told her not to go back to Zimbabwe but she wanted to. I offered her to come to Lerato House when she is out so we can try to find a job and a safe place to stay.	Mashadi said it is better that she goes to Zimbabwe because there’s her family. Unfortunately the week after we could not enter the prison because of a human rights workshop. The girl never came to Lerato House though she had the pamphlets.
We went to night Outreach at the End of the month.	There was a lot of police around because it was end of the month and they needed money. So they came there to either have sex with them or get money.	The challenge for me is still the language. I don’t feel comfortable just standing there and watching the girls but not interfering.	I don’t know. Sometimes we talk a little English but it seems to be much easier when they talk in their mother tongue. We always introduce ourselves but the conversation is in Zulu.
I went with Mashadi and Sheryl for an Outreach to Sunnyside.	It was interesting because one of the girls once stayed in Lerato House but didn’t recognize Sheryl.	I asked Mashadi and Sheryl how come this girl is back on the Streets again. They said she earns better money there. She tried to open a small business with selling sweets but it didn’t work out.	We will keep in touch and do counseling. We invited all of them to come to Lerato House to do the bead work.