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We bring comfort and restore dignity to victims when we give them a “comfort pack” containing personal care products, clean underwear, sanitary pads, soft toy, sweets, chocolate and juice.
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This may seem like such a small thing, but it gives back a sense of dignity to a person when they can wash themselves off and put on clean underwear again.
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Children open up to the trauma workers more readily once they get the soft toy from our comfort pack in their arms to hold. Even the adults hug the teddies they receive tightly.
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We have given out thousands of comfort packs already, but sadly there are still so many being affected by rape in South Africa, we cannot do enough.
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There are many who contribute from small monthly amounts to knitting of teddies to corporate funding of hundreds and for each sponsor of goods or monetary value we are deeply grateful.
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CONTENTS OF COMFORT PACKS – Adults (Immediate Trauma Pack)
| • Teddy bear • Tissues • Sweets and/or chocolate • Juice • Face cloth • Soap • Shampoo • Tooth paste | • Tooth brush • Towel • Underwear (panties, boxers) • Sanitary towels • Comb • Deodorant • Skin lotion |
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CONTENTS OF COMFORT PACKS – Children (Immediate Trauma Pack)
| • Teddy bear • Towel • Underwear (panties, boxers) • Tissues • Comb | • Soap • Shampoo • Sweets • Face cloth • Energade or fruit juice |
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CONTENTS OF COMFORT PACKS – Children (After counselling)
| • Crayons and colouring in book • Niknacks or chips • Fruit juice • Soft toy or other suitable (non-violent) little toy (unisex) |
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Woman Against Rape is an advocate of sustainable change. It is vital for the survival of someone who has been abused that we teach skills to empower and give them the means to sustain themselves in the economy.
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Skills Development
Emphasis is on discovering the potential of each child and determining their interest and talents. Accordingly, specific training activities are introduced to develop each one’s talent and abilities.
Computer Literacy
More computer courses at several homes are planned where the children will be introduced to Microsoft Office Explorer, Word and Outlook. The course is an introductory certificate course which will enable them to further practice their newly acquired skills creating cards, bookmarks and more. They will also be able to then access computers in libraries and schools with confidence.
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Beth Shan, a shelter in Pretoria for female victims of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking benefitted greatly by WAR’s computer literacy program, started in 2013. The new skill they have acquired liberated them, made them realized their own worth and added to their repertoire of abilities.
WAR’s computer training project will be able to continue in other children’s homes, like Peas In A Pod in Sunnyside Pretoria when 8 laptop computers can be purchased to train 16 children at a time.
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Solution Seeker
WAR is an advocate of sustainable change. We not only inspire communities and individuals, but also provide the necessary means and points out opportunities within the community structures. Patrick, a community leader in Olievenhoutbosch, a poverty-stricken community just outside Centurion, now owns his own hair salon which was furnished by donations generated via WAR’s networking initiative.
WAR also initiated the Gill Worms Feeding Scheme in Olievenhoutbosch where the people face crime, unemployment, domestic violence and a lack of education opportunities.
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Pots, pans and utensils have been provided and weekly, 500 people enjoy a healthy meal, of meat, fresh veggies and mealie meal which is prepared by Patrick and his team.
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The nutritional status of the community is improved. Physical ailments are reduced and productivity is enhanced.
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Training in Crafts & Hobbies
A sewing project in Pretoria North was launched where corporate gift items and shopping bags are manufactured. WAR supplies the fabric and sewing necessities.
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Knitting and crocheting are encouraged at the children’s homes. WAR supplies wool, knitting- and crocheting needles.
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WAR sells the crafts made in these initiatives, giving an income to a survivor. YOU can uplift someone by purchasing a hand-made item from WAR such as the colour changing candles, bracelets or Shwe-Shwe bags.
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For more info contact admin@womanagainstrape.co.za
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Woman Against Rape assists and supports a network of counselling services around the country by giving comfort packs for victims to the counsellors to hand out. The counselling service is free and WAR encourages all affected by rape or abuse to seek counselling for themselves and loved ones.
Crucial to the recovery of survivors of rape and abuse, counselling teaches problem-solving skills, such as how to overcome negative beliefs, assumptions or expectations that are the hallmark of depressed or anxious thinking.
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Counselling helps people learn to cope better and develop a more optimistic perspective through taking actions that enable them to feel self-empowered, such as becoming more assertive or taking steps towards life goals in spite of feeling fearful or pessimistic.
As depressed or anxious people take action in spite of their difficulties and start to achieve some positive results. They begin to feel genuinely better about themselves as a person, which enhances their psychological well-being in the long run.
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Counselling focuses on helping people build stronger support systems and relationships that will strengthen and protect them psychologically. It also teaches people how to calm their autonomic nervous system, which is the foundation for stress management and anxiety reduction.
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Counselling, in combination with positive lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular, vigorous exercise has been demonstrated to produce lasting anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects.
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WAR is privileged to donate food, nappies, toiletries, towels, bedding, clothes, toys, kitchenware and furniture to the many safe homes we support. These little joys are cherished by the children, men and women. Often it is a hug and a humble gift that are the greatest luxury.
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There are so many homes we visit and meet needs of regularly, but some that have really touched our hearts are mentioned below:
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Odirile Home, at Temba Hammanskraal, Gauteng, is a haven for 150 mentally and physically disabled children. But, often abused women are seeking that safety. And they are welcomed with the same love, care and understanding than the children. WAR recently refurbished the dormitories with mattresses, bedding, pillows and blankets.
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Mooiplaas, an informal settlement in Centurion is plagued with poverty. Most of the residents were relocated due to unlivable conditions of a landfill nearby, dolomite and that the land is privately owned. WAR’s generous donations received from caring South African citizens, companies and organizations, supply food, toiletries and textbooks for school. When greeting the people, gratitude graces their smiles and that is more rewarding than any spoken word.
Savh House Silversig is a retirement facility for the frail elderly. The home provides 24 hour frail care and medical support to 150 elderly people who are either impoverished, physically or mentally challenged. WAR is fortunate to be involved with Silversig and donates toiletry packs on a regular basis. As a treat WAR donated coffee mugs filled with rusks and freshly baked muffins.
Peas in a Pod is a specialist house of safety specializing in abused girls from ages 2 – 18. The home started 3 years ago and have taken care of 31 girls since then. The main focus is restorative work with girls. The girls they take care of are brought to them by the SAPS. This house specializes in the care of sexually abused victims. Peas in a Pod is a long term project with WAR. The personnel at WAR have built up relationships with every little girl. Apart from donating toiletries and food on a weekly basis, WAR regularly takes the girls on outings. Through WAR local restaurants provide healthy pre-cooked meals weekly for the girls.
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Beth Shan Shelter is a home and place of refuge for abused women, children and victims of human trafficking. WAR trained 9 ladies from this shelter to become computer literate. These new skills liberate them as they realize their worth, while developing their talents, skills and abilities. Training is one of WAR’s strongest goals as a trained community is a multiplier of upliftment and education for others.
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Peace Home, Tableview - Ziza’s House of Hope for Abused Children (better known as Peace Home) is a charity which helps rehabilitate young victims of abuse and neglect, giving them a second chance in life, status, and dignity. WAR is able to supply bread, milk, clothes and toiletries to Peace Home regularly.
Huis Jabes, situated in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, provides a temporary home and rehabilitation centre to victims of family abuse who come from middle to high income communities. This includes physical, financial and emotional abuse. They are provided with meals, shelter, medical care, counselling and career guidance to empower the women there to create a better future for themselves and their children. Since their establishment in 2008, they have helped more than 400 women and children start the process of recovery and rehabilitation. WAR supports Huis Jabes with comfort packs for new victims as well as clothes and food.