Table of Contents
AGM Agenda
- Welcome, Apologies & Opening
- Notice Convening Meeting
- Introduction: Nopasika Bhazana
- Reports
- Annual Financial Statements
- Auditor for 2022-2023
- Confirmation of Co-Opted Member
- The Road Ahead
- Closure
AGM Notice and Minutes
| Agenda item | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Welcome, Apologies & Opening | The meeting was opened at 16:15 by D. Fourie, who welcomed everyone. Apologies were entered for B. Booysen, A. Vlok, L. Kilian, D. Mac Taggart, Y. Delport, C. Boast and S. Triegaart. J. van Heerden opened with a prayer. |
| Notice Convening Meeting | The notice convening the meeting was read by D. Fourie. J. Mac Taggart was thanked for creating the notice. |
| Introduction: Nopasika Bhazana | N. Bhazana was introduced by D. Fourie. |
| Reports | Reports were presented by J. van Heerden and F. Fusa. D. Fourie mentioned that the reports of the Social Auxiliary Worker and the Fundraiser would be included on the website and in the printed report, but were covered for the meeting by the Manager’s Report. Since both staff members have resigned, he did not want to impose on their time by having them present their reports at the AGM. Donors present were thanked for their contributions. |
| Presentation: Annual Financial Statements | J. van Heerden presented the Annual Financial Statements prepared by A2A Kopano. Acceptance of the statements was proposed by C. Jonk, seconded by C. Price, unopposed. |
| Appointment: Auditor for 2022-2023 | D. Fourie informed the meeting that A2A Kopano has been the auditors for Sparrows for 22 years, and asked whether the meeting could endorse them continuing in that capacity. R. Helm-Jovo proposed, seconded by D. Mac Taggart, unopposed. |
| Confirmation: Co-Opted Member | D. Fourie informed the meeting that C. Price resigned as Treasurer, but would continue as a board member. A new Treasurer would therefore be needed, and he suggested that Y. Delport be appointed to the board. Acceptance of the suggestion was proposed by C. Jonk, seconded by I. Jovo, unopposed. |
| The Road Ahead | D. Fourie presented future plans to the members present. |
| Closure | D. Mac Taggart presented J. van Heerden with a token of appreciation for her dedication and service to the board. R. Helm-Jovo made herself available to N. Bhazana for consultation, assistance and support. Members present were thanked and invited to enjoy refreshments and socialise for a short while before leaving. D. Fourie closed the meeting at 16:55. |
Message from Annelise de Jager
Introduction: Nopasika Bhazana
Nopasika Bhazana was appointed on 1 September 2022 as the new Executive Director of Sparrows.
This followed a process whereby the position was advertised nationally for the entire month of June, with shortlisting of three candidates from approximately 50 applications in July 2022. The three candidates were interviewed by a panel consisting of David Fourie, André Vlok and Brent Phillips. While asked to be on the panel, Ms Tiny Msila was unable to join.
Out of the three candidates, Nopasika emerged victorious.
She has an impressive list of qualifications ranging between bookkeeping and electrical engineering, and holds an MBA from Regent Business School.
In the month that she has been at Sparrows, she has immersed herself fully in her new position. She is professional, consults widely and takes time to form opinions. Talk on the grapevine is that she is a strict manager.
We welcome Nopasika to Sparrows and look forward to seeing the results of her work.
Manager’s Report
I tidied the drawers, cleared my desk and packed up 22 years in a plastic bin!!!! While doing all this, my mind wandered to the beginning – when everything we did, every decision we made, was a step in faith and we relied on the goodness of God. What a journey!!!! I am tempted to write my story. It will certainly make good reading.
Sparrows Child and Youth Care Centre
Sparrows is a home for abused, abandoned, neglected and orphaned children. This is their safe place, a place where they can just be children and be encouraged to become who God ordained them to be. To assist them reach their goals, we have dedicated staff.
The six childcare workers work tirelessly to make sure that the children’s needs are met. This is not always an easy task as some children really battle to understand their emotions. Most have not had good role models at home and so much work goes into moulding acceptable behaviours.
We welcomed two new childcare workers, Phendulwa Sijila and Sindiswa Ndwanya, to the team. I am very proud of this group of dedicated ladies who do not shy from their responsibilities and are loving and kind to the children.
Volunteers play a very important role in the life of Sparrows. We would not be able to take annual leave or sick leave if there was not someone who was willing to fill the position at short notice. We also have volunteers doing homework with the younger children in the afternoons. You have been absolute gems ladies and we appreciate you very much.
Faith, the social worker, has been an absolute stalwart. She had to step up and run Sparrows when I was on sabbatical. What a good job she did! Thank you, Faith, for agreeing to be moved out of your comfort zone. You did so well. The children have also benefitted from the programmes that Faith has been running. Our sincere thanks to Ms Tiny Msila from our local Department of Social Development office, for supervising and supporting Faith.
Brent Phillips, our ‘in-house’ psychologist, has been working very closely with the staff and some of the children. We have valued his professional guidance and friendship. Many of us have been able to apply what we have learnt with our own children. What a blessing you have been for all of us, Brent. Must mention we thoroughly enjoyed the cakes and muffins!!!!
It is not easy to get most of our children to conform and perform, especially in the classroom, but their teachers have persevered and for that, we are most grateful.
Community Development
Monica only wants the best for the community. She has worked tirelessly arranging transport to take her clients to Home Affairs in Cradock for ID’s etc. and accompanied others to SASSA when they were not able to get a grant. Nothing was ever too much for her. Monica resigned at the end of March 2022 to start her own NGO. We wish her well in her new endeavour.
Kabouterland Educare Centre
With Vinah at the helm and Nomathamsanqa as her first mate, Kabouterland is a hive of activity every weekday. One is always welcomed with happy faces and hugs when you visit the Centre. Thank you both for imparting knowledge to our children and keeping them safe when they are in your care. The educators run an “aftercare” for children who wish to be assisted with their homework. I think many a “Makhulu” is very grateful as this service takes the pressure off them.
Events Fundraising
Rachel has once again done herself proud. Thank you for always giving your best. Rachel has resigned from fundraising for the Organisation to pursue her calling. We pray for God’s blessing on all you do Rach.
Conclusion
I would like to thank ALL the donors for your contributions, however big or small. You made a difference in the life of a child at Sparrows. There is a list of donors attached to the reports for your perusal. If by chance your name has been omitted, please tell us so we can add it and we apologise for the omission.
Sparrows is undergoing changes that I am sure will be beneficial. The Management Committee with David Fourie as the Chairperson is orchestrating these changes. I would like to thank them for their support and encouragement this past year. André Vlok, you are a gem. Thank you for your legal expertise at a time when I needed it most. I appreciate you very much.
The success of Sparrows is due to much prayer and the dedication of all involved. Please do not tire – the children need us.
Jennifer van Heerden
Manager
Social Worker’s Report
“Love your children regardless of their behaviour. Focus on your children’s positive qualities. Look for praiseworthy decisions. Teach your children to like themselves, understand their weaknesses and accept their faults. Control your own behaviour to be a good model, your children learn from you.”
— Dr Sal Severe
I am certain that what I write here sounds familiar to my colleagues. We were taught so many things by Mom Jenny during the 8 years I have known her. The journey with her ended on the 1st of September 2022. She left us with so many good memories and we are now better parents to our own children. Thank you, mama, for all the years we shared tears, laughter, and sad moments together with you but they are worth everything. You are a blessing to many of us at Sparrows.
Family reunification services
Three children were reunified with their families in December 2021.
Family conferences
Three family conferences were held within residential care, and none elsewhere.
Meetings, conferences, training and workshops
| Description | Participants |
|---|---|
| Workshop for staff | 8 |
| Staff meetings (two held) | 9 and 8 |
| Management meetings (four held) | 11, 10, 11 and 11 |
| Review of individual development plans (IDPs) | 9 |
| Assessment tool for children in alternative care (virtual workshop) | 5 |
The year in review
- 21 April 2021: the monitoring and evaluation team from the Department of Social Development visited the centre.
- 5 August 2021: a Child & Youth Care Worker was hired.
- 15 September 2021: the Annual General Meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church.
- 21 September 2021: virtual Provincial Forum for CYCCs.
- 25 to 29 October 2021: the Social Worker attended a therapeutic programme in East London, presented by the national office, for children and families affected by sexual abuse.
- 27 November 2021: staff and management attended a conflict management workshop at Blanco.
- 29 November 2021: the children were vaccinated.
- 1 December 2021: the Centre Manager went on sabbatical leave until 1 March 2022.
- 7 December 2021: the children were told about their holiday placements.
- 17 December 2021: the children went home for the Christmas holidays. The centre was closed from 20 December until 10 January 2022.
- 10 January 2022: the centre opened again and the children arrived, brought by their external social workers.
- 21 January 2022: staff meeting.
- 4 February 2022: the NPO team from the Department of Social Development visited the centre for monitoring and evaluation.
- 1 March 2022: the Centre Manager came back from sabbatical leave.
- 5 March 2022: all the children went to the Tarka show with R50 each for pocket money.
Case conferences were held at the centre throughout the year, with the families and social workers of the children in our care.
Statutory work
| Residential care | Number |
|---|---|
| Residential care supervision reports in terms of section 159(2) | 9 |
| Reports on extension of placement in alternative care beyond 18 years, section 176(1) | 3 |
| Care plans | 12 |
| Foster care | Number |
|---|---|
| Foster care supervision reports in terms of section 159(2) | 0 |
| Reports on extension of placement in alternative care beyond 18 years, section 176(1) | 0 |
| Reports in terms of section 171 (transfer order) | 5 |
| Children’s Court inquiry reports | 5 |
| Care plans | 5 |
| Children found to be in need of care and protection (section 150(1)) | Number |
|---|---|
| Child removals | 0 |
| Family placements | 0 |
| Institutional placements | 0 |
Children in residential care
Casework
- Five children from the foster home were admitted to the centre.
- The internal social worker, the external social workers and the Centre Manager assessed children for the holidays.
- The internal social worker holds regular counselling and therapy sessions with the children in residential care.
- Each child’s individual development plan is drawn up by the multi-disciplinary team and the child, and reviewed every six months to encourage, observe and monitor the child’s growth and development.
Group work
The children were grouped according to their ages. The groups work well. We meet on Fridays and during the holidays. It helps the children, as they decide on the group rules and the consequences of not keeping them. Sessions cover:
- Life skills
- Independent living for children leaving the residential care programme
- Protective behaviours
- Family preservation
- Promotion of the rights of children
- Income-generating activities
- Individual counselling
- A therapeutic programme for children affected by sexual abuse
- Grief counselling
- Trauma counselling
- Play therapy
Successes
- One child from the centre was elected to represent the children at management meetings.
- The therapeutic programme for children affected by sexual abuse has been successful. The children who took part can speak about what happened, and they now know it was not their fault, but the perpetrator’s.
- The Journey of Life programme helped most of our children reflect on who they are and why they were placed at the centre. The children were grouped by age and most of them took part.
- Fourteen children were able to go home for Christmas. Five were not. Four of them spent the holiday with one of our holiday mothers and one with the Social Worker.
- This year, 2022, is much better for children who could not voice their thoughts and feelings, and for the throwing of tantrums.
Challenges
- Some children cannot go home, while others spend quality time with their own families.
- Some parents visit the centre under the influence of alcohol, which is difficult for the children too.
- Some children lack a sense of belonging. Programmes then do not work as they should, because every child needs to belong.
Conclusion
I would like to thank the supervisor at the Department of Social Development, Ms Tiny Msila, for her support and expertise.
I would like to conclude my report by welcoming Mam Nopasika. We are blessed to have you, mam, as part of our team. Already we feel your presence because we always have something to do and evaluate the progress. Thank you all.
Faith Fusa
Social Worker
Social Auxiliary Worker’s Report
“Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord and work.”
— Haggai 2: 3-5
These are the words that touched me when I looked around Tarkastad, destroyed, torn apart, and left with absolutely nothing. This led me to give a positive response to the operation “Send Me!”
Positive outcomes, April 2021 to March 2022
- Twenty children were placed successfully with their families.
- Children and young people in unsafe circumstances were moved to safety, and given the help they needed.
- Families were reunited, some with the help of SAPS.
- The closure ceremony of Women’s Month at the Disabled Centre left its members feeling more accepted by the community.
Social auxiliary work
| Description | Previous total | Added this year | Total in progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assigned cases | 194 | 44 | 238 |
| Home visits | 996 | 681 | 1 677 |
| Office visits | 824 | 668 | 1 492 |
| Child support grants | 804 | 660 | 1 464 |
| Identity documents | 547 | 518 | 1 065 |
| Referrals | 668 | 1 609 | 2 277 |
Family reunification
| Description | Previous total | Added this year | New total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child removal | 26 | 14 | 40 |
| Awaiting placement | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Institutional placement | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Meetings and workshops attended or facilitated
| Description | Participants |
|---|---|
| Debate on the impact of unemployment in terms of supporting and caring for the children | 25 |
| Youth Indaba | 15 |
| Heritage event with residential care children: family trees, clan names, food we eat, and more | 19 |
| Child Protection Week: Break the Silence, report any kind of abuse or bullying in and out of school | 256 |
| Plenary meeting for 16 Days of Activism | 20 |
| Back to School Campaign | 100 |
| Awareness campaigns on substance abuse and bullying | 160 |
| CPF meetings | 59 |
| Board meetings | 140 |
| Masizame/WDCH parents’ meetings at schools | 185 |
| Implementation workshop | 10 |
| Celebrating women with disabilities | 183 |
| Dialogue on bullying | 60 |
Priority challenges
- Unemployment. When SANRAL stopped working on our roads, many community members were left without jobs. This led to an increase in crime: petty theft, burglaries, stock theft and so on.
- Teenage pregnancy. This is becoming fashionable. Teenagers seem to be competing to see who can have a big tummy first, as if it is advantageous.
- Children with special needs. These are the victims of stigmatisation and discrimination by families and schools.
- Cyberbullying. The targets seem to be children from poor families. This type of bullying is used mostly by learners who degrade other learners.
Conclusion
I would like to thank Management, the Manager and staff at Sparrows for giving me this opportunity to give back to the community what I could. To the parents whose children we removed for safety reasons, know that we did not just abandon your children. The time has come for me to leave the office at Sparrows to work amongst you on my own. I will always love you and your children.
I am still available to render services as your need arises.
Monica Banzana
Social Auxiliary Worker
Fundraiser’s Report
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
This year-end report is celebrated with highs and challenges and with a final goodbye.
When I began partnering with the organisation in 2016, I don’t think any of us had an idea of the journey we would take; the adventures we would have; the tears together; and the challenges of praying together in the Sparrows office. It has been an honour and a privilege to work and learn together over these past 6 years.
This current financial year was highlighted by many raffles, Yard Sale days, and Live in the Garden in Cradock. It also had its challenges: staffing challenges, the decision not to wait on our hunt auction, and immigration regulations. At the end of the year, I am grateful for God’s continued provision for the organisation.
Kabouterland. The Educare Centre has reopened since Covid and is growing slowly. In the 2022 school year, the Department of Education is assisting with subsidies.
Raffles. The biltong cake continues to be a winner. A big thank you to all those who donated these special items.
Yard Sale Day. After the success in March 2021 of our first Yard Sale, plans were underway to continue this. May and July provided additional days of selling to the local community, as well as Roosterkoek.
Live in the Garden. This was a highlight of the year. On 23 October we hosted our second event in Cradock by the Shed. Victory Family Church also assisted with hosting the event. Kimmie and Aiden provided beautiful live music. Unitas International, The Shed, and other local Cradock businesses and individuals provided the food for the event. Our profits this year were over R23 000 for this event.
NPO Fundraising Forum. In August 2021, I completed the forum through Annelise de Jager. She continues to offer support and empowerment initiatives through this platform.
In February 2022, my family was in Mozambique for more than 100 days due to immigration. While this was not planned on our side, there is a time for everything. My resignation in June 2022 did not come as an easy decision, as Sparrows has been very dear to my heart. While the children who first touched my heart in 2015 and got me interested in Sparrows have returned to their homes, the passion to assist vulnerable women and children of the community continues.
For the future leaders and volunteers of Sparrows, I would like to offer a word of advice. Value people. From the workers to the children, to the community members, value people. Give them your attention and share in their lives.
Thank you again for these special years of working together.
| Fundraising event or activity | Date | Amount raised | Donations in kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Sale and Roosterkoek | 5 May 2021 | R1 010 | R1 000 |
| Biltong Raffle | 1 June 2021 | R1 090 | R350 |
| Yard Sale Day | 3 June 2021 | R310 | R300 |
| Cake Raffle | 15 July 2021 | R970 | R250 |
| Hamper Raffle | 24 August 2021 | R910 | R750 |
| Live in the Garden, Cradock | 23 October 2021 | R23 400 | R14 200 |
| Christmas Care Raffle | 24 November 2021 | R1 340 | R250 |
| Food Pantry Donations (Unitas International) | Continuous | R0 | R102 226 |
| Food Pantry Donations (miscellaneous) | Continuous | R0 | R6 250 |
| Donations toward SEESA | Continuous | R14 400 | R0 |
| Total | R43 430 | R125 576 |
Rachel Helm-Jovo
Fundraising Events and Activities
The Road Ahead
When Jenny approached me to make myself available to serve on the Sparrows board again in 2020 after an absence, I agreed happily, thinking that – as usual – I would be the secretary. After agreeing, she asked if I would be the chairperson. I said no.
To my dismay and her delight, I happened to miss the first board meeting after the SGM where the new board was elected during Covid. She was positively gleeful when she informed me after the meeting that I had been elected as chairperson in my absence.
At the time, neither of us knew what lay ahead.
We have won some battles, lost some others, and on some fronts, we are still preparing for battle. What we can be certain of, is that the war on abuse and neglect of children will not be settled in our lifetime, but it is a war that Sparrows will fight until either it can no more, or until it is won. We are a bit like Ukraine in that way.
I am confident about the road ahead.
Despite winning awards for good governance, we are strengthening governance each month. Future board members will be carefully recruited, trained and inducted to ensure that the organisation has the best, most inclusive, most diverse leadership at the highest level who know their roles and responsibilities.
In line with that, current board members completed training in governance with Third Sector Insights this past calendar year.
We have also embarked on a process to register Sparrows as an NPC, which has its own stringent requirements on board members, with actionable legal recourse should they fail in their duties. The NPC will be registered as “Sparrows Child and Youth Care Centre” as decided by members at an SGM in 2021, shortening the current cumbersome “Child Welfare South Africa, Tsolwana and Sparrows Child and Youth Care Centre.” The registration is at an advanced stage and should conclude before the end of this financial year.
The NPC registration is an extension of the current NPO registration – Sparrows will be registered as both. All assets will be transferred to the NPC, keeping current agreements with Child Welfare South Africa around transfer of property should Sparrows cease to exist.
In line with the corporate direction the NPC registration is taking us in, we have appointed Nopasika Bhazana as Executive Director, and moved Jenny van Heerden to the position of Development Director. In NPO-speak, that is “Manager” and “Fundraiser.”
Nopasika is immensely qualified to steer Sparrows into this new territory, and we cannot wait to embark fully on this road with her.
Fundraising has been identified as a priority area for Sparrows for many years. Some members may remember that we employed a fundraiser in Ms Mulder some years ago. Unfortunately, she left the organisation and the position was never filled again. Until now.
Jenny will be working from home, fundraising from local and international grant donors aligned with the Sparrows mission. This is not a golden parachute to create income for her while she semi-retires. While she will earn a basic salary, there is a commission component per relevant application submitted, ensuring that there is a results-based remuneration structure. Apart from that, normal reporting procedures will apply, and she will be held accountable.
The board is also embarking on the establishment of various committees to assist with and make recommendations on its responsibilities. Governance is one aspect that is a board’s responsibility, but so are compliance and monitoring. To this end, we are currently reviewing the legal framework within which Sparrows operates, and will develop and publish policies on our website to remove any grey areas that currently may exist.
I would like to encourage members and the Tarkastad community to become involved in the committees, so that they may have a real sense of ownership of the organisation and its future.
We are committed to transparency and the highest ethical standards, which we aim to build into the foundation of the newly established NPC for future boards to build on.
“Change happens at the speed of trust.”
— Stephen R. Covey
David Fourie
Chairperson
Donors
We appreciate every donation, whether in cash or in kind. If your name or organisation has been left off this list in error, please contact us.
- K. W. Pringle
- A. Bryant
- N. Westhuizen
- J. Candland
- L. Phillips
- C. Jonk
- Grand Lodge of South Africa
- N. Taliwe
- M. Burger
- A. Kula
- C. Smith
- N. Siqaza
- S. Kitching
- A. van Heerden
- B. Phillips
- F. Knoetze
- S. Du Preez
- L. van Heerden
- A. Godley
- T. Frost
- S. Nkumenge
- Winterberg School Trust
- C. Elliot
- M. Greyling
- L. Vigne
- F. Fusa
- Christine, Victory Church
- Joy, Victory Church
- Church of Christ Mission
- T. Partner
- R & J Harris
- Metcalf & Sahd
- D. Mac Taggart
- S. Triegaardt
- DSG Gires
- D. Bentley
- Presbyterian Church Ladies
- M. Botha
- Mrs Mzamo
- Michan, Victory Church
- S. Shuttle
- K. Makatangana
- W. Scooth
- T. Hirkins
- N. Smith
- L. Molo