Located on the southern coast of South Africa, the city of Port Elizabeth is a major seaport and a financial, economic and cultural hub of the Eastern Cape. But beneath its rich and diverse cultural heritage, the city bears the scars left by years of apartheid: formerly segregated and black-populated districts have suffered a lack of basic infrastructure (such as schools, health services and electricity), under-investment and marginalisation for decades. The Eastern Cape has a high level of poverty and the highest unemployment rate in the country, with many families living in vulnerable and disadvantaged conditions.
For years, the Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission has been dedicated to promoting the well-being and safety of girls and children through care and protection services, while also supporting women and local families through empowerment and training programs. Thanks to sewing and bedding courses, education and awareness-raising activities, the mission has supported 360 families, children and girls.
Discover the impact of the Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission in video:
2024 activities of the Good Shepherd Mission in South Africa
In Port Elizabeth, children have limited access to education. The youngest ones from disadvantaged households, in particular, may lack the necessary support and care to transition to elementary school. The Good Shepherd Mission established a “stimulation group” to prepare kids aged 3-5 years to start their formal education. Throughout the year, 20 young participants learned to establish hygiene routines and engaged in developmental activities to stimulate their growth and boost their self-esteem. Parents were also involved through biannual meetings, where they received support and guidance to play a more active role in their children’s development. The program culminated with the graduation of 8 children at the end of November 2024, for whom a ceremony was organized to celebrate their entry into the public school.
In addition to this Stimulation Group, 100 to 120 children received support with their homework at the Aftercare Center. Kids struggling to keep up in school were closely monitored and given special attention to help them make academic progress. After completing their homework, children could participate in outdoor activities and sports, like netball and rugby, singing, dancing and other recreational activities, to foster social connections. Facilitators received regular training to effectively support children and families in distress. When needed, children were reoriented towards specialized services that could adequately respond to their specific needs. In a significant milestone, the GSS Mission in Akhanani extended to new areas and arranged transportation for children and families that did not live in walking distance of the center.
One of the activities that will forever be entrenched in children’s memories was the excursion to the National Elephant Park, where they enjoyed the park activities and strolled around, their eyes filled with excitement and joy as it was the first them for them to experience wildlife up close.
In a city where disadvantaged families struggle to survive and put food on the table, the Akhanani kitchen continues to feed each child attending the Care Center. The meals are well-balanced and contain fresh vegetables that are directly harvested from the Akhanani Garden. Food distribution also reached two of the most marginalized neighborhoods in the city, reaching a growing number of participations thanks to donations from a local supermarket and bakery, that generously provided groceries for the center.
For years, vocational training in sewing and bedding has empowered women in vulnerable situations, increasing their employment prospects and enabling them to enter the job market. In 2024, 4 women from the advanced sewing class graduated, and each of them is now offering garment alteration services from their homes and earns an income. Beyond vocational training, parents and women from the sewing class also participated in enrichment sessions focused on women’s rights, positive parenting and the promotion of interpersonal and caring relationships to build a safe and loving environment at home.
Highlights of the year
Several special events shaped the year 2024: during the 16 days of Activism, a public march was organized through the streets of Port Elizabeth, where the Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission was joined by many other stakeholders working for the protection of women’s rights.
In August, South Africa’s Women’s Month, the Good Shepherd Sisters organized weekly programs throughout the month addressing issues such as Gender-Based Violence, providing psycho-social support to women to strengthen their self-image, and offering guidance on parenting skills.
Finally, as the year came to a close, children, with the guidance of their facilitators, eagerly staged a Nativity play. The performance was attended by parents, volunteers, board members, and other beneficiaries of the center, marking a joyful and memorable end to 2024.
