Creating a positive environment
The OVC afterschool-program was established in 2011 to address the challenges that children and their guardians face every day, as HIV is not only a medical issue, but has also social and emotional consequences on children, their families and the community. The children that come to DAM get the experience of engaging in life-skills programs, homework assistance, fun and games. We also offer them a nutritious meal that really puts a smile on their faces.
Our orphans and vulnerable children are coming from Jabavu in Soweto Township, where their guardians and parents earn low incomes, some are unemployed and depend on a child support grants of R400 and R1700 for social welfare of pensioners to meet their daily needs. About 200 children between 5 and 18 years are participating in our program.
Nutritional food
Good food and support is equally as important for our children. We believe that with healthy food comes healthy minds, which promotes growth and development. We as DAM strive to prevent malnutrition because it weakens the immune system, thus preventing the kids to perform at their full potential. Food support should be child-focused and family-centered. Household and communities coping with HIV and AIDS have greater need for food and nutritional support yet face greater challenges getting access to it.In this program, we are dishing up healthy meals for our orphans and vulnerable children from Tuesday to Thursday between 14:00 and 16:00. Some of our food is sponsored by longtime partners and it is proudly taken from our Support Group gardens.
If you want to register, download the 2020-Tutoring-Application form.
Dance Group
The Dance Academy consists of 25 students who got Bursaries from the Katz Dance studio in Sandton. Here the children are taught dance and drama each and every Saturday between 10:00 and 12:00 by internationally certified dance instructors.The children have performed the Mini Lion King workshop on several stages in 2016, including the Wits Theater in Johannesburg. In September 2016 they participated in a flash mob at Southgate Mall and Maponya Mall in Soweto, giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent.
Afternoon activities
We are providing tennis for children from 5 to 12 years in partnership with “Tennis South Africa”. They are also going to the library for storytelling to improve their English literature and furthermore, we are offering computer lessons to advance their computer skills. The students from 12 to 18 years are able to go to the basketball court, it is in partnership with “Soweto Basketball Academy”.
Tutoring program
Most Soweto township schools producelearners whose academic performance are below grade level. Poor matric results and low awareness of post-school opportunities lead to high numbers of unemployed youth.The unemployment is the reason why we are providing the tutoring program to high school learners, it is an academic support on the following subjects: Pure Maths, Maths Literacy, Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, English, Accounting, Economics and Geography. This will enable learners to improve their marks. The tutoring program takes place from Tuesday to Thursday between 15:30 and 17:00.
If you want to register, download the 2020-Tutoring-Application form.
Winter Camp
The winter camp takes place every year between June and July. We are offering a structured opportunity for kids to grow mentally. Our major focus is on sports and academics. The older ones are able to patricipate in a camp.
