Finding her Voice, and her Vocation!
Johani recently started working as a nurses assistant at a maternity hospital. She loves her job!
Johani* is a Kuda Vana family member in our Youth Transition Program, which was designed to provide ongoing support to fully equip young adults for life. She recently completed trade school and began working as a nurse’s assistant in a maternity hospital. We are so proud of her!
Last December, Johani had the opportunity to participate in a panel of 'care leavers' organized by Zimbabwe Social Services. A 'care leaver' is a young person who has left residential care and is entitled to ongoing assistance from Social Services.
Johani wrote about her experience, and wanted us to share it with you.
“December 12-17, 2022 marked a very important and significant time in my life. The opportunity to share and give my insights about my experiences both in residential care and as a care leaver was truly a blessing from God. Initially, I was worried and very nervous about understanding the purpose and objectives of the session.
On my first day of the conference, I was asked to present on some of the difficulties and alternative solutions to the care system I have been in for the majority of my life. The turnout of people was impressive, and I was a bit shy to come forth, but I thank God for the people who were so welcoming and friendly which gave me all the confidence I needed for the day.
The group, along with the Department of Social Development, highlighted challenges faced by children in residential care and those faced by care leavers.
Challenges to care leavers like myself included:
An incomplete education because the government does support support this after we leave residential care, and subsequent unemployment
Trauma leading to mental health problems and the use of drugs
Crime and homelessness
Facing challenges and barriers in pursuing their future expectations and goals
Challenges to children living in residential care included:
Not having access to their files at an early age
It is vital that all children in care have a one-on-one meeting with their probation officers and this is not being done
Lack of adult guidance
Lack of attachment with caregivers
Not enough social workers to ensure the well-being of children in residential care
Birth certificates are not being issued in a timely manner, if at all
The session was an eye-opener, and more needs to be done to improve on the support being given to the children in residential care and care leavers. The presentations were really good and powerful as well as heartbreaking, realizing that some have to go through painful experiences affecting their lives. It is our desire that the government considers these findings to better the lives of the children in residential care and those of the care leavers. Our voices need to be heard!
“After this experience, I am even more full of gratitude for the experience I had growing up at Kuda Vana - it was so different than most of the other young people who grew up in other residential care. I am thankful for the support I have received to ensure I have a vocation to support myself!”
Kuda Vana is committed to being a part of the solution, not the problem, to the issues Johani bravely outlined above. This is why we engage in a multi-faceted strategy to place children safely back in family, address trauma, and help prepare vulnerable kids for a bright future. Read more about our unique approach, and what makes Kuda Vana “Not Your Typical Orphanage” HERE.
*Not her real name