Annual Report 2013

Helping Children Through Parents

Anniversaryth

growing together

helping children th

rough

paren

ts

growin

g together . . . from good to great

growing together . . . from good to great

VisionThe Parent Centre strives to contribute

to a society in which every parent/caregiver is able to raise resilient and

well-balanced children in ways in which they can develop their full potential,

protected from victimisation and abuse in communities free

from violence.

Through primary prevention, we aim to:» Facilitate the safety and healthy emotional

development of the child from birth to early adulthood;

» Promote the well-being and self-esteem of the parent/caregiver;

» Prevent child abuse, victimisation and neglect;» Contribute to the prevention of teen pregnancy,

substance abuse, HIV and AIDS;» Enhance the child’s capacity to be a resilient, caring,

competent and creative member of society; and» Encourage the establishment of a loving, nurturing

environment that strengthens the family and society.

We do this by working directly with parents, caregivers and educators – and indirectly by collaborating with other people and organisations which support and work with parents.

We offer training in positive parenting and support to people and communities wanting to promote the practice of positive parenting. We offer counselling and support to parents/caregivers.

The Parent Centre is a Non-Profit Organisation working mainly in the Western Cape.

Mission

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2 Chairperson’s message

3 Director’s report

5 Treasurer’s message

6 Celebrating 30 years of excellence in promoting positive parenting in South Africa

10 Counselling Service

12 PACES Programme

16 Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting Programme

18 Teen Parenting Skills Training Programme

19 (PAN) Parenting in Africa Network

20 The growth of the administrative, financial, human resources, marketing and fundraising team

21 Statistics

22 Financial Appeal

22 Funders and Donors

23 Board of Management and Staff

24 Endorsements

Contents

growing together . . . from good to great

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The Parent Centre celebrates its 30th birthday this year. From its humble beginnings in 1983 the organisation has evolved into one of the leading parenting and family health organisations in the country. Although the Parent Centre has its footprint in the Western Cape, it has formed valuable partnerships with national and international organisations that draw on the cutting edge skills and expertise of the organisation’s management and staff.

On the 4th of July 2013, Statistics South Africa released a gender report based on the 2011 Census. The report amongst other things studied the position of women in families and households and the living arrangements of parents and children in our country. The report paints a bleak picture of dysfunctional families and a shockingly high number of children in South Africa growing up without one or both of their parents.

The South African government realises that stable, healthy families are at the heart of strong societies. In October 2012 the Department of Social Development (DSD) published a White Paper on Families in South Africa. The mission of DSD as set out in the White Paper is to undertake activities, programmes, projects and plans to support, promote and nourish well-functioning families. This is an exciting and important development for the Parent Centre as the organisation is perfectly positioned and qualified to play a leading role in this initiative and form strategic partnerships with government and other role-players.

I continue to be inspired by the compassion, commitment and enthusiasm that the volunteers, staff and management of the Parent Centre show in providing professional, high quality services to vulnerable children and parents in local communities. I thank them for their

dedication and devotion. I am extremely grateful to my fellow board members, some of whom have been with the organisation for many years through good times and bad, for the good governance and excellent oversight role they have played. I must express my gratitude and appreciation to all our donors and funders who continue to support the Parent Centre during a tough economic climate. Thank you for your generosity and vote of confidence in the organisation.

At the time of writing this report Nelson Mandela lies gravely ill in hospital. The dominant theme that has emerged from the numerous tributes written by politicians, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens of our country is that as individuals and as a country we must continue to keep his legacy alive. According to Verne Harris, Nelson Mandela’s archivist, Mandela’s legacy “cannot belong to one institution, to one family, to one country. It belongs to all of us. And it only has meaning if we are interrogating it, if we are interpreting it and if it is a living, dynamic, changing thing.”

In reviewing the history, achievements and excellent service the Parent Centre has provided over the past thirty years, I am convinced that the organisation and all those who support it and fund it, embody and live Nelson Mandela’s values of service to humanity and providing a better life for all. I am privileged to be part of such an organisation.

Vanessa PatherChairperson

Chairperson’s message

Mandela’s legacy “cannot belong to one institution, to one family, to one country. It belongs to all of us. And it only has meaning if we are interrogating it, if we are interpreting it and if it is a living, dynamic, changing thing.”

Some key moments and achievements in the centre’s epic 30-year journey are detailed further in this report.

During the year under review the organisation faced the significant challenge of change in leadership following the retirement of the long-serving director, Celeste Van der Merwe, in December 2011. At the same time the organisation experienced an increased and constant demand for its services.

Other challenges included community violence and protests, rising costs and the looming end of a funding partnership with the World Childhood Foundation which has committed to funding Parent-Infant Home Visiting Programme from January 2009 to December 2013.

But through the talents and relentless commitment and dedication of staff, senior management and the Board of Management and financial support of our various funding partners the Parent Centre has continued to grow and thrive.

Highlights and milestones achieved during the past year

An external evaluation of the Parent Centre’s combined Fatherhood and Parenting and

Leadership Skills/Train-the-Trainer Programme in the rural districts of Robertson, Worcester, Lambert’s Bay, Grabouw, Caledon, Somerset West, Strand and Eerste River, revealed that the programme had “high impact personal outcomes” for the participants. The fathers reported improvements in their fathering; improvement in family relationships at home as well as high motivation and confidence to apply the training.

Mireille Landman and I presented various aspects of the Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting Programme at the World Association for Infant Mental Health International Conference which was held for the first time in Africa.

The Parent Centre Teen Parenting Programme Manager, Julia Starck, was appointed as Chairperson of the Parenting in Africa Network (PAN). The Parent Centre is thrilled to be a member of this network which aims to promote skilful parenting across Africa.

A large contingent of the Parent Centre staff completed Khululeka Grief Counselling Training which has strengthened the work that we do with parents and caregivers living in communities characterized by crime, violence and HIV/AIDS and who often have to deal with loss and grief. It also led to 2 extra

Director’s report A question often posed to Non-Profit Organisations these days is “Are you sustainable?” The Parent Centre has demonstrated over the past 30 years that it is indeed. From its birth in 1983 to 2013 it has continued to grow, innovate, strive for excellence and become a leader in the field of parenting and family support services in South Africa. Since becoming an independent Non-Profit Organisation in 1997 it has touched, and changed, the lives of more than 164 446 parents, 450 708 children and 8 812 practitioners working with families and children.

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sessions on grief and loss being added to the Teen Parenting Skills Training Programme.

Board members, staff members, clients and representatives participated in a Strategic Planning workshop facilitated by Julian Sturgeon which has set the organisation on an exciting journey of going from “Good to great”.

The Parent Centre, in partnership with the Western Cape DSD, Families South Africa (FAMSA) and Gender Transformation Network hosted and participated in a very successful Parenting Seminar and Expo.

In partnership with My African Dream several parents who attend the Khayelitsha Support Group attended hairdressing training which will hopefully enable them to generate income for their families.

A support group for pregnant and new mothers was launched at Medi-Clinic Cape Town. We are thankful to Medi-Clinic Cape Town for acknowledging that mothers attending their clinic were in need of support, and to the Parent Centre staff members, Linda Waner and Jenny Wright, for taking the initiative.

Parent-Infant Home Visiting Programme Manager, Milly Pekeur, facilitated a collaboration with the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) aimed at ensuring that the rights of pregnant and birthing mothers are not violated when they engage with the public maternal health care system.

The Parent-Infant Community Counsellors who conduct the home visiting programme completed UNICEF accredited breastfeeding training which is strengthening their ability to support and guide lactating mothers.

The first Parent Support Group Facilitators’ Manual and Support Group Facilitators’ Training Programme was developed by social workers Jann Watlington and Sharon Paulus.

The Parent Centre has been contracted by Western Cape DSD to lead a Family Resilience Project in the much publicized community of Hangberg.

Our Parent Centre family expanded with new staff members Carin-Lee Masters, Jenny Wright, Berenice Scott, Shirley Madlingozi, Edith Delcarme and Shenaaz Moos who have brought additional passion, creativity and laughter.

Through our basket of parenting services during this year we have impacted some 11 060 parents and caregivers, 40 675 children and 733 practitioners working with families.

Some sad goodbyes during the year

In November 2012 we bid a farewell to community worker, Marilyn Matroos, who left to pursue a dream of guesthouse ownership. A short few weeks later we were shocked by the sudden death of much loved Parent-Infant Community Counsellor, Faith Klaas. We continue to keep her husband and children in our prayers. In 2013 we also bid farewell to Khairu Nagdee who loyally served as a board member since 1994. We are eternally grateful to her and her family for their valuable contributions over the years.

Looking ahead

We will continue on our journey from “Good to great”. We will constantly seek ways to better serve and impact the parents and children of our country. We will strive to continue being a place where staff and board members alike can contribute, grow and flourish. We look forward to fulfilling our dream of having our own property which we call “The Parent Centre Sanctuary”.

Venecia BarriesDirector

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.” Jim Collins

“Everyone can be great, because everybody can

serve. [to be great] you only need a heart full of grace, a

soul generated by love”Martin Luther King

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Treasurer’s messageTreasurer’s Report for the year ended

31 March 2013

“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer”

Rick Pitino

It has been a very satisfying year for the Parent Centre, which continues to grow from strength to strength. Our revenue has increased by 12% and this is mainly due to grants from the National Lottery Distribution Trust and Special Project donations. It is very pleasing to see that our income from Counselling, Workshops and other Services has increased by almost 12% this year, an area where we can proudly start working towards self-sustainability.

Expenses have increased by 9%, mainly due to inflationary reasons. There have been more opportunities for the Parent Centre to share our knowledge around South Africa, Africa and internationally with the resultant increase in travelling costs – this is seen as an investment in that we are marketing ourselves and our expertise! The fact that expenses only increased by 9% continues to affirm that the finances at the Parent Centre are run as a tight ship.

The result is that our surplus for the year is up 56% compared to last year, and we can now start seriously looking at expanding our activities and bringing our dream of owning our own property to reality!

We express our sincere thanks to all our donors and funders without whose support we could not be spreading parenting skills out in the communities.

The Board expresses deep thanks to all the staff and dedicated volunteers of the Parent Centre for their commitment and passion.

Debbie CoombeTreasurer

In response to parents’ difficulties with some of the

content of the North American STEP parenting programme staff creates the centre’s first

Positive Parenting Manual for South African parents.

The centre opens its doors as “Family Focus”, a project of Cape Town Child Welfare Society, with a staff of four

enthusiastic women (parents and professionals): Hermine

Wengrowe, Mireille Landman, Hilary Rosenthal and Janet

Bourhill. It is the very first Non-governmental organisation

in South Africa to focus exclusively on parenting.

1983Recognising the need to

equip educators and medical professionals to positively

engage with parents, the Parent Centre initiates an annual

parenting skills module for the students at Hewat Teachers Training College and UCT

Masters in Medicine students.

1987

1987

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

of excellence in promoting positive parenting in South Africa

A Community Education Department, headed up by

Fouzia Ryklief, is established which extends the centre’s

services into under-resourced communities.

1987

The Parent Centre advances the rights of children through close work with the National Convention on the Rights of

the Child.

1990

The centre’s name is changed from “Family Focus” to “the Parent Centre” to more accurately reflect the work of the

centre.

1988

30 Memorable moments and achievements

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The Parent Centre Khayelitsha office is opened.

1994

The Parent Centre opens an office in Athlone.

1992

The Parent Centre partners with the University of Western Cape Parent Education Project to promote positive parenting

in deprived areas in the Northern Suburbs of Cape

Town

1992

“While it is evident that expansion and change have taken place over the years, certain core values have remained consistent at the Parent Centre, namely – the intention to support and empower parents in a non-judgemental way that enables them to better manage the often challenging job of parenting infants and children.

A nurturant stance towards employees is also an enduring quality of the Parent Centre mentioned by past and present staff of the centre.” Carol Cheesman, 2013

Realising the importance of intervening, and preventing child abuse and neglect, as early as possible the Parent

Centre launches a home visiting programme with

vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers in Hanover

Park. The home visiting programme, an adaptation of the Healthy Families America programme, is called Healthy

Families Africa

1994

A Randomised Controlled Trial of the home visiting programme in Khayelitsha showed that the

programme, delivered by lay community counsellors, had a significant positive impact on

the quality of the mother-infant relationship and security of

attachment.

1996-2001

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The Parent Centre model is used as a case study by the

South African Human Sciences Research Council and its draft

report notes that the clarity and relative simplicity of the

Parent Centre’s approach means it can be replicated

easily in other areas.

1997

The Parent Centre employs its first male community

development worker, Charles George, strengthening

engagement with teen fathers participating in the Teen Parenting Programme.

2004

The Parent Centre’s fledgling independence coupled with a

downswing in the economy and a “global tightening of belts”

creates huge financial pressure. The dedicated efforts of fundraiser Tamsin Ractliffe helps to stave off

the centre’s closure.

2001-5

A 2 ½ year external evaluation of the Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting Programme

in Hanover Park shows that the home visits had helped the mothers to become more confident and independent, had promoted positive and nurturing mother-infant relationships and breastfeeding (at 12 months postpartum most of the mothers in the study were still breastfeeding), had improved the mothers’ relationships with her older children as well as other

families in the home.

2004-6

Acknowledging the important role that Nannies play in the lives of children, the Parent Centre launches its first

Nanny Training Course which raises their awareness of the emotional and

development needs of infants and young children as well as child safety.

2002

Teen parent support groups are launched in Nyanga,

Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.

1997

The Parent Centre becomes an independent Non-Profit

Organisation. It maintains its original focus on promoting

positive parenting and healthy family life in South Africa.

1997

The first Teen Parenting Skills training programme is launched in response to

requests by educators in the townships who were concerned about the increasing number

of teenage learners raising their biological children or siblings.

2000

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The Randomised Controlled Trial of the Parent-Infant Infant Intervention Home Visiting Programme is

published in the British Medical Journal.

2009

An external evaluation of the Pilot Fatherhood Programme reports that the programme

participants experienced improvements in their fathering and family relationships.

2012

The Mitchell’s Plain Parenting Forum under the leadership of Charlene Arkeldien is established to facilitate, co-

ordinate and deliver parenting services to the Mitchell’s Plain community.

2012

The Parent Centre participates in roundtable talks in Kenya which

culminates in the creation of the Parenting in Africa Network (PAN) and subsequently

becomes an active PAN member.

2008

An external evaluation of the Teen Parenting Programme indicates that

learners participating in the programme experienced improvements in their

parenting as well their school performance.

2011

Western Cape DSD, FAMSA, Gender Transformation Network and the Parent Centre collaborate in the first Parenting

Seminar and Expo.

2012

The Parent Centre’s first Manual for Parent Support Group Facilitation is developed.

2013

The Parent Centre opens an office in Mitchell’s Plain, sharing premises

with FAMSA and Lifeline.

2006

The Mentoring and Support Programme, providing ongoing support and training to graduates of the Parenting and Leadership/

Train-the-Trainer Programme is launched.

2007

In collaboration with the Western Cape DSD a Pilot Fatherhood Programme is launched in the West Coast and rural Eden/Karoo districts.

2010

A specialised Zero-to-Three Counselling service is launched offering help to parents of children aged 0 to 3 years experiencing

difficulties with feeding, sleeping, separation and prolonged tantrums.

2011

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The approach was to encourage “positive parenting” through support and education of parents. At times there have been as many as eight counsellors doing individual counselling. When the Parent Centre was operating from the Cape Town Child Welfare Society office in Upper Claremont counselling clients were predominantly from the Southern Suburbs. With the centre’s relocation to Main Road, Wynberg in 2004, there was a drastic decline in the number of clients seeking individual help. In recent years the numbers have increased steadily but have also become more donor-dependant as 95% of clients hail from poorer communities and are seldom able to pay for the service.

The nature of issues that have confronted parents and counsellors over the years have changed as well. In former years parents came to counselling seeking help with setting boundaries, gaining children’s co-operation, sibling rivalry, and tantrums in younger children. In recent years parents engaged in counselling have also struggled with financial difficulties, alcohol and drug addiction, interpersonal and community violence, divorce, aggressive behaviour and depression. There has also been an increase in the number of grandparents coming for counselling, needing help to cope with caring for grandchildren left by their drug addicted parents.

Referrals come in from schools, shelters, welfare organisations and the Children’s Court as well as through other programmes offered by the Parent Centre. For example,

recently a support group facilitator observed that a mother attending the group appeared to be depressed. The mother was referred for individual counselling and was diagnosed with postnatal depression. This mother has subsequently contacted the centre and expressed gratitude for the help that she received and remarked “There is no need for parents to suffer in silence. Help is available at the Parent Centre.”

In 2011, with the intention of developing an “Under 3’s” service at the Parent Centre, five staff received training with Judy Davies (child psychotherapist) to do this more specialised work. The importance of this work is the focus on early intervention with parents and infants, which research has shown to be advantageous for later development and mental health. It is also more cost effective – as improvements are seen more rapidly than in work with older children and adults. The counsellors are supervised by Fouzia Ryklief and Judy Davies.

Counselling Service Since 1983

The history of the counselling service goes back to 1983 when “Family Focus” opened its doors and individual counselling and parenting skills training was undertaken by the first two counsellors on the staff.

Since 1997 some 10 865 parents and 18 188 children have benefitted from this counselling service.

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A poem written by a mother attending theTafelsig mother and child support group

(In gratitude to Nasiera Ebrahim, support group facilitator)

We are so happy to know you.We being moms, friend, daughters and wives Like sunshine on a cloudy day

You bring warmth to our lives

You give information, a clear indication, that there is Hope, VINDICTION You even tell us to listen to a radio station.

I like how your face lights- upEvery time we say positive things.

It seems to you a special kind of Joy it brings.I love how educated you are, you could have been anything A chef, a movie star You could have fattened up your purse or owned a bar, But you chose

instead to be of help to others, us mothers.

Through you I find inspiration, motivation, causation, information.That is why every Tuesday I await with anticipation.

So thank you for the difference you make, The hours we take That nothing is fake For not being afraid to give us a shake When silly mistakes we make For

keeping us alert, awake And helping us not to fall even though we feel our earth quake.

Written by: Deverine Inglis

(On behalf of support group moms)

Nasiera Ebrahim

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In 2008 the name “PACES” was coined to more accurately reflect the nature and scope of the programme which had undergone considerable expansion since its inception.

In addition to counselling and support groups, parenting skills training courses, workshops and talks for parents and caregivers had been developed and added. Furthermore, an increasing amount of training was being conducted with professionals and community leaders who worked with families and who wanted to include parental guidance and support in their work. The staff of this programme had developed a special Parenting

and Leadership/Train-the-trainer programme to equip these professionals and community workers to facilitate parenting training and groups in their communities. A special Child Behaviour Management Training Programme for educators had also been created. An example of this work is the Parent Centre’s collaboration during 2005 and 2008 with organisations such as Bright Lights, DSD’s Victim Empowerment Programme, City of Cape Town, G.C. Williams, The Homestead and Lavender Hill Youth Care Centre to promote positive parenting of children who had lived on the streets. A considerable number of parents and caregivers of street children, and professionals working with street

In its early form, this programme was in operation since 1987. At that time, the term “Community Education and Training” was used to refer to these counselling and support groups that were offered in various areas.

Parent and Community Empowerment and Support (PACES) ProgrammeSince 1987

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children, participated in the Positive Parenting Skills Programme, Parenting and Leadership Programme and Child Behaviour Management Programme.

Between 2001 and 2013 more than 3 782 professionals and community workers in the Western Cape as well as Eastern Cape and Gauteng, working with more than 99 119 children had benefitted from these two programmes.

Over a number of years participants of the Parenting and Leadership Training had requested ongoing support for their work. To meet this need a Mentoring and Support Programme was established in 2007. These support meetings have included networking and sharing problems and challenges in the work, presentation of general parenting topics as well as providing refresher or follow-up training. In addition, telephonic or email support is provided

to groups or organisations which have completed the training. Since 2007 a total of 349 professionals and community leaders working with some 12 933 children have benefitted from the Mentoring and Support Programme.

Parent Support Groups have been offered since 1983 and have continued to be a place where parents meet weekly and have a space to focus on themselves; to be listened to and understood; to get support and ideas from other parents; to share their challenges ; to strengthen their families and grow personally and to gain information that fosters and promotes the well-being of their children. Between 2010 and March 2013 the number of support groups being requested and offered had doubled, from 5 to 10 – in Silvertown, Hanover Park, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Tafelsig, Lentegeur, Woodlands, Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic and Medi-

1 2 3

PACES mentoring and support

PACES mom and baby support group

PACES mentoring and support participants

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2

3

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Clinic Cape Town. In some of the groups young and abusive parents have participated and facilitators have witnessed how these parents have grown emotionally and managed to attach to their infants. The fact that some parents try to find work or study again also indicates improved self-esteem.

In 2010 and 2011 a partnership with Western Cape DSD enabled the launch of a pilot Fatherhood, Parenting and Leadership Skills workshop in the rural districts of Robertson, Worcester, Lambert’s Bay, Grabouw, Caledon, Somerset West, Strand and Eerste River. The aim was to facilitate a process of fathers passing on their experience, knowledge and skills to other fathers through counselling, workshops or simply through conversations. The five Parent Centre facilitators involved worked closely with Hearts of Men and the Rural Transformation Company in Lamberts Bay, and the district offices of DSD in these areas and trained a total of 101 fathers and community workers. One participating father shared that “since attending the training my children are more open towards me, they can see and feel the difference in me”. A follow up Mentoring and Support Programme has been provided and a number of the participants have begun to implement the fatherhood work in various forms in their communities.

2012 saw another milestone in this programme – for the first time the PACES programme, contracted by Western Cape DSD, embarked on leading a Family Resilience Project in the community of Hangberg. This pilot project, still in its infancy stage, aims to build resilience in families living in this community characterised by drug abuse, poverty and teenage pregnancy through joint collaboration of a variety of community stakeholders and service providers.

Supervision and training for the P.A.C.E.S team has always been

considered vital for the successful implementation of their work. In 2012

and 2013 a lot of work was invested into strengthening supervision and

training. A Manual for Parent Support Group Facilitation was developed

and all Parent Centre support group facilitators will complete the training and will also receive further ongoing

quarterly training.

PACES Mom and Baby Support Group

Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic

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IN WEsTErN CaPE: Claremont, Rondebosch, Plumstead, Newlands, Bergvliet, Constantia, Cape Town, Bellville, Belhar, Elsies River, Athlone, Hout Bay, Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Mitchell’s Plain, Strandfontein, Epping, Retreat, Steenberg, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Pelican Park, Philippi, Du Noon, Vrygrond, Lavender Hill, Milnerton, Table View, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Langa, Lutzville, Koekenaap, Stellenbosch, Ebenezer, Beaufort West, George, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Robertson, Worcester, Grabouw, Caledon, Somerset West, Strand, Eerste River, Prince Albert, Saldanha Bay, Lambert’s Bay, Vredenburg

IN GauTENG: Johannesburg

IN EasTErN CaPE: Kokstad, Umtata, Cala

Number of parents and caregivers

Number of professionals and community workers working with

other NPO’s, CBO’s and faith-based organisations trained

Number of children

impacted

Positive Parenting skills Training (courses, workshops, talks)Understanding Childrens’ Behaviour; Active Listening; Assertiveness; Effective Discipline; Managing Sibling Rivalry; Raising Boys; Raising Girls; Closing the gap with Teenagers; Nanny Training

136 078 411 280 393

support Groups(4 weekly support groups for pregnant mothers, new mothers and fathers, teen parents, grandparents)

5 285 26 7 953

Parenting and Leadership skills/Train-the trainer Programme and Child Behaviour Management Training Programme

304 3 782 99 119

Mentoring and support Programme 349 12 933

Fatherhood Programme(positive parenting skills training, leadership training and ongoing mentoring and support – all focusing on fatherhood)

101 424 17 172

TOTaLs 141 768 4 992 417 570

PACES PRoGRAMME 1997 – 2013

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The Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting Programme recognizes the above and has as its main objective to prevent child victimization, neglect and abuse through enhancing a parent or caregiver’s capacity to cope with the challenges of early parenting as well as teaching and strengthening positive parenting practices.

This ethos harks back to two studies done by Mireille Landman for the Parent Centre. The first, in 1994, was the Healthy Families in Africa research project conducted in Hanover Park. The second, 1996 to 2001, was the Khayelitsha Mother and Infant (Thula Sana) Research Project. This included an epidemiological study, a pilot study and a follow up Randomised Controlled Trial in partnership with University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, Reading University, Wellcome Trust and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The programme was redesigned, an adaptation of the Health Visitor Preventive Intervention Programme, a home visitation programme in Britain, with key principles of the WHO document “Improving the Psychosocial Development of Children ” incorporated as well. A Parent-Infant Intervention Training Programme as well as the first manual for home visitors was developed. A key aspect of the redesign was the use of 12 items from Brazelton and Nugent’s Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Schedule, taught by Lynne Murray of the Winnicott Research Institute at Reading University in Britain.

The name of the programme was also changed from Mother-Infant Programme to Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting programme since the redesigned programme offered support and guidance to mothers, fathers and other primary caregivers.

The epidemiological study revealed that the rate of maternal depression in Khayelitsha was 34.7%, three times the rate in developed countries. The Randomised Controlled Trial showed that the programme, delivered by lay community counsellors (supervised by infant mental health professionals)

had a significant positive impact on the quality of the mother-infant relationship and security of attachment.

Between 2001 and 2002 two of the Hanover Park home visitors were seconded to a research project on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome conducted by the Foundation for Alcohol and Related Research (Medical School, University of Cape Town) and the School of Medicine, Wayne State University, USA. The home visitors provided parenting support and guidance to mothers and infants involved in the research.

Between 2003 and 2008 the redesigned programme was implemented in Hanover Park and expanded into five additional communities – Gugulethu, Philippi, Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and Mitchell’s Plain.

In 2005 Mireille Landman moved into the role of programme consultant. Venecia Barries managed the programme for the next six years and Milly Pekeur took leadership in March 2012.

Maintaining consistent funding for the programme has been a significant challenge though. For this reason the programme was suspended in Philippi and Gugulethu for six months of 2005. The entire programme was also threatened with suspension at the end of 2007. A significant funding commitment from World Childhood Foundation since 2008 has enabled the programme’s continuation in all eight communities as well as expansion into Nyanga, Heideveld and Retreat.

Currently 14 Parent-Infant Community Counsellors (PICCs), supervised by five social workers and psychologists, conduct home visits in these 10 communities. They provide information during five antenatal visits and are available to listen, with a non-judgemental stance, to any concerns that the pregnant mother and her partner may bring about the pregnancy or other issues – for example, relationship difficulties, drug addiction, abuse by staff at Maternity and Obstetric Units.

Parent-Infant Intervention Home Visiting ProgrammeSince 1994

Pregnancy and birth are in themselves life changing events. But, when a pregnant woman faces difficult circumstances such as an unplanned pregnancy, lack of support from her partner, teenage pregnancy, poverty, abuse, physical/mental illness, etc., then pregnancy and birth may be experienced as traumatic. This may result in an overwhelmed mother who is alienated from her infant and who may neglect, abuse or abandon her infant. Such an infant may become depressed and fail to thrive and may become a delinquent or violent child.

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Following the birth of the baby, counsellors offer 15 post-natal visits, by which time the baby is around 6 months of age. During the post-natal visits they support the parents in providing the best possible care for their baby. This involves encouraging the mother to attend the clinic appointments as well as listening to any concerns about her own or the baby’s physical and mental health. If needed, referrals are made to other agencies. Counsellors also facilitate bonding between parents and infant by alerting the parents to the stages of infant’s development, encouraging communication between parent and infant. The programme aims to involve as many fathers as possible. Where fathers have been involved they have generally responded positively to support and information given by the counsellors.

Since 2006 the counsellors have also been giving weekly talks on various pregnancy topics at the community health clinics in their geographical areas of work. Apart from reaching large numbers of mothers with information, this is also a way of recruiting mothers to the programme.

In 2011 the effectiveness of offering the support and content of the home visiting programme in a

group format, to reduce cost, was informally tested in Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha. We found that while the mothers greatly valued the antenatal group sessions, attended regularly and developed new friendships, they stopped attending once they gave birth. In 2013 a third antenatal group will be implemented in Heideveld, with formal evaluation by Social Work Masters students, University of the Western Cape.

A significant challenge in 2012 has been to secure funding for the programme for 2014 and beyond. The Parent Centre has embarked on an intense fundraising campaign incorporating funding applications to a range of funders and donors, dissemination of pregnancy and early parenting information in partnership with corporate concerns and an online fundraising campaign for this purpose. It is critical that this early prevention programme, which reaches the neediest and most at-risk pregnant women, is continued and expanded.

Mariam Malan“When I first met Tanya (name changed) she was completely ruined. She was emotionally abused by her own mother and sometimes physically by her husband. She had no support and was just lying in her room. She even felt like taking her own life and these were times when she felt she don’t want to have her baby. With my departure she told me, “In times of need you were there for me, Mariam. You picked me up and carried me throughout this pregnancy, labour and birth and helped me survive, even though there were times when I was still in bed and my house wasn’t clean you never left me alone. You gave me courage and support that no-one ever did in my life. The knowledge that I gained from you made me strong and I can now walk without fear.”

Lucy Yozi“I first visited Grace (name changed) when she was four months pregnant. She was crying a lot the first time I saw her. Her partner wanted her to have an abortion. He threatened to leave her if she did not have the abortion. He left her when she’d decided to keep the baby. Grace was also HIV positive and could not breastfeed, due to her CD4 count being so low. I spoke to the nurse at the local clinic and they gave Grace formula milk for her baby. I also referred her to an organisation that provides food parcels. At the end of the home visits Grace told me that she was much happier than before. She thanked me for all the help I gave her. She was very glad that her baby was so beautiful and growing so nicely”.

Between 1997 and 2013 some 8 661 mothers and 11 262 children have been impacted through the home visits.

The following are home visitor’s accounts of impact they have made with families they have home visited:

In 2000 social worker Tamara Ngcuka and community development workers, Bulelwa Kuse and Lephina Makhanya, consulted with educators at high schools in the townships who expressed concern about the increase in teenage learners raising their biological children or siblings. A 9-session teen parenting course was subsequently offered at Chris Hani High School, Bulumko High School and Thembehle High School.

In 2001 it was redesigned and structured into a 20 session programme under the guidance of Julia Starck who continues to manage the programme and supervise the team of 6 facilitators. The team was given more training at the time, based on what they knew was needed having been working in the community.

The 20 session programme incorporated positive parenting skills as well as specific adolescent issues such as assertiveness, managing money, love relationships and HIV/AIDS. Since 2012 sessions on grief have been included to provide additional support and guidance to participants who live in communities characterised by crime, violence and HIV/AIDS and often have to deal with loss and grief. Over the years the programme has also tried to link teens with job and study opportunities.

Since its inception the programme, whilst not condoning teenage pregnancy, has aimed to reach teenagers who bear the responsibility of parenting their own biological children or other children in their families. The belief has been that, by meeting the emotional needs of teenagers, the programme will help to eventually break the cycle of teenage pregnancy. Their sustained effective parenting of their children will, hopefully, result in reduction of teenage pregnancy in the next generation.

Initially the programme was only offered to teen parents attending school. Since 2004 it has also been offered at community venues, to teen parents whose parenting responsibilities have forced them to drop out of school.

Between 2001 and 2013 the programme has been regularly run in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Nyanga. Programme evaluations completed by participants themselves and also educators who regularly interact with them have consistently shown that the participants’ parenting and school performance improve as a result.

A pilot study for the Department of Social Development was also conducted in the communities of Mitchell’s Plain, Kraaifontein, Atlantis and Ceres in 2009 and 2010. This external evaluation reported improvements in the participants’ understanding of their children’s needs and feelings; respect for self and others and improved communication.

The study also recommended that the success of the programme could be enhanced by offering the programme after school rather than during the school day, by offering support to the parents of the teen participants and providing ongoing support groups for the participants after they complete the programme. All of these have since been implemented.

When asked what helps the teens in this programme the facilitators agree that having a platform to talk, probably for the first time, is very therapeutic and contributes to an improved self-esteem. They provide a non-judgemental space for the teens by letting them know that they themselves are not perfect parents. This honesty makes the teens more receptive to hearing how older parents may feel/think about things which the teens do! Julia Starck believes that a sense of security evolves from the supportive, caring relationship which develops between teenagers and facilitators over the 20 session programme. It becomes the foundation upon which parenting skills can be learned, practiced and internalized.

The facilitators describe their pleasure in seeing the commitment some teens show to the groups and how they are able to change behaviour and regain some childlike sparkle in their eyes, despite the losses in their young lives.

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Teen Parenting Skills Training Programme Since 2000

Between the 1980’s and 2000 support to teen parents was mainly in the form of teen parent support groups.

Comments from the Head of Department, Life Orientation, at one of the high schools about the positive

difference made by the Teen Parenting Skills Training Programme, 2013

Between 1997 and 2013 some 3 152 parents and caregivers and 3 688 children have been impacted through the Teen Parenting Skills Programme.

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Recently the Parent Centre has acquired a presence in the rest of Africa through participation in PAN, a network which aims to promote skilful parenting in Africa.

The Parent Centre, represented by Julia Starck, has been involved in the network since its inception in 2008, when we were invited to participate in roundtable discussions initiated by two East African organisations, namely International Child Support (ICS), Kenya and African Child Policy Forum (ACPF), Ethiopia.

Since then the Parent Centre has been actively involved. We took part in the Skillful Parenting Experts meeting in Nairobi in October 2009; in the Symposium at Lake Naivasha, Kenya in March 2010 where the PAN structure was put in place; at the launch of the PAN Secretariat in Kenya in late 2010 where Julia Starck was elected into the position of Vice-Chairperson and in the first PAN Conference in April 2011. In June 2012 she was appointed as the Chairperson.

The Parent Centre’s Teen Parenting Skills Programme has also been featured in two PAN publications, “Strengthening Families to Protect Children” and “Voices of African Children”.

PAN has expanded consistently since 2008, from 8 African organisations to more than 200. Plans are underway to establish country-based chapters, comprising member organisations who will network and share expertise, as well as promote skilful parenting and effective parenting practices in their respective countries. The country chapters will give input on parenting guidelines for the African continent. The launch of the South African chapter of PAN is planned for 17 May 2013.

The Parenting in Africa Network (PAN)Since 2008

“They [the learners] became more responsible for their lives, very

accountable. They were exemplary to other learners. Before the

programme the self-esteem of the learners was very low but after the

programme it became very high. Most passed Grade 12”.

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The independence from Cape Town Child Welfare Society in 1995; the rapid increase in the number and scope of programmes and programme staff; an increased need for Non-Profit Organisations to effectively market their services and engage with social media has naturally required additional support staff.

Zaitoon Abed, who has been involved with the Parent Centre since 1991, and financial manager since 2001, points out that the growth of the centre is reflected in the turnover that has trebled in the 30 years of its existence.

Since 2001 the team has grown from three (a finance manager, receptionist and housekeeper) to eight (an admin/ human resources manager, finance manager, receptionist, two administrative assistants, a marketing assistant, housekeeper and fundraising consultant).

In 2013 the increased demand for our parenting services has placed considerable additional strain which will need to be addressed as a priority.

All the programmes currently offered by the Parent Centre can only function efficiently with the support and talents of the administrative, financial, human resources, marketing and fundraising staff.

Growth of the administrative, financial, human resources, marketing and fundraising team

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Statistics: April 2012 – March 2013

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Home Visits 7 003 733 772

Counselling and Consultation 288 366 288 296

Parent Support Groups 10 329 236 382

Positive Parenting Skills Training 13 91 231 572

Specialised Parenting Workshops 11 34 310 56 3 963

Parenting and Leadership Training (P & L)/Train-the-trainer Programme

7 77 96 4 320

Mentoring and Support Programme (Ongoing support and training for P & L training graduates)

4 4 183 5 893

Fatherhood Training and Parenting & Leadership focusing on fatherhood

Mentoring and Support Programme for graduates of Parenting & Leadership focusing on fatherhood

Fatherhood Support Group

5

5

1

60

11

8

106

154

5 010

6 235

Parenting Talks at Community Health Clinics

195 195 7 275 85 10 837

General Parenting Talks 48 1 591 53 1 965

Radio Talks (KFM; Radio 786; Radio Zibonele; Voice of the Cape)

20 830 000

Television Programmes (Soul City) 1 2 million

Newspaper & MagazineArticles/Contributions to Articles

1

Questions and Answers(Magazines, Website)

2

Networking at Forums and Open Days 38

Teen Parenting Programme 19 282 388 430

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1. Attached please find my cheque/postal order for R . .

2. I (full name)

hereby authorise you to debit my current account on a monthly basis on the nn day of each month for

R . as donations to the Parent Centre.

Account No

Bank Branch

Signature

3. Please debit my Master/Visa Card with the amount of R . .

Card No nnnn nnnn nnnn nnnn Expiry Date nn nn Signature

Name Telephone

Address

Code

Please return this coupon (or photcopy) to the Parent Centre address listed below.

The Parent Centre’s Bank account: First National Bank (Wynberg)Account No: 50151118286 Branch code: 202.209

NPO No: 005-605 PBO No: 18/11/13/448 – Section 18A Fund

P.O. Box 18889, Wynberg, 7824 Tel: +27 21 762 0116 Fax: +27 21 762 5160 Email: reception@theparentcentre.org.za Website: www.theparentcentre.org.za

YEs, I WaNT TO HELP THE ParENT CENTrE TO KEEP GOING aND GrOWING!

M YM Y

Financial Appeal

Thank You!

Thank you to our funders, donors and sponsorsThe interest and support of funders, donors and sponsors enhances the centre’s capacity and determination to sustain essential programmes to parents, children, families and communities in need.

Department of Social DevelopmentWorld Childhood FoundationTrifid TrustGlencore InternationalRolfe-Nussbaum FoundationNational Lottery Distribution Fund

AnonymousHCI FoundationCommunity Chest of the Western CapeDin Din Trust

Metropolitan HealthKim/MichaelaF DavidsVanessa PatherVenecia Barries My School CardUniversity of California, Los AngelesPEPFAR USAID

Johnson & JohnsonRevlonKrisray PNDSA Rosemary DuncanAnita Grant Judy DaviesWorld Association for Infant Mental Health

FuNDErs DONOrs aND sPONsOrs

THE BOarD OF MaNaGEMENT

Chairperson: Ms Vanessa Pather

Vice-Chairperson: Mrs Shona Sturgeon

Treasurer: Mrs Debbie Coombe

Members: Dr Hoosain Ebrahim, Mrs Khairu Nagdee (resigned prior to April 2013 meeting), Ms Vanessa Minnaar, Ms Nomfundo Ntoyanto (resigned prior to July 2012 meeting), Rev Buyisile Mqobongo

PErMaNENT sTaFF

Director: Venecia Barries

Programme Managers:• PACES: Fouzia Ryklief• Parent-Infant Home Visiting: Milly Pekeur• Teen Parenting: Julia Starck• Finance: Zaitoon Abed• Admin/HR: Barbara du Toit

social Workers:Charlene Arkeldien, Sharon Paulus, Jann Watlington

social auxiliary Workers:Marilyn Matroos, Nasiera Ebrahim

area Co-ordinators:Marjorie Feni, Lephina Mojakgolo, Bulelwa Kuse

Community Development Workers:Charles George, Bekiwe Sopangisa, Berenice Scott

P/I Community Counsellors:Deborah Meyer, Nosiphiwo Nomaqiza, Noludwe Tanale

receptionist: Letitia Tomlinson

admin assistant: Zaiboenisa Parsley

Workshop & stats Co-ordinator: Safura Solomon

Housekeeper: Lhalha Feni

VOLuNTEErs

Zero-to-three Counselling supervisor: Judy Davies

Photographers: Alexa Swanepoel, Waafiq Hendricks

Website development and maintenance:Taariq Latiff

CONTraCT sTaFF

P/I Programme: supervisors:Judy Brice, Carol Cheesman, Melanie Horwitz, Stine Lundgren

Parent-Infant Community Counsellors:

Kulsum Achmat, Cheryl de Silva, Audry Johnson, Sizeka Klaas, Mariam Malan, Phumla Memani, Christine Nichols, Nompumelelo Sampies, Babalwa Tatsi-Ngala, Sheilla Tomsana, Vivienne Williams, Lucy Yozi

Marketing Generalist: Zeenat Hendricks

administration support: Bronwyn Thompson

Facilitator: Noxolo Madlakane, Shuaib Salie

sEssIONaL sTaFF

Counsellors:Helen Barnard, Anita Grant, Shira Jankelson-Groll, Carin-Lee Masters, Sue Mitrani

PaCEs Facilitators:

Rasheda Ariefdien, Ruth Bruintjies, Pat Coombe, Ellen Dareis, Soraya de Goede, Edith Delcarme, Margaret Flack-Davison, Helen Gosnell, Trish Holgate, Nawhaal Jacobs, Shirley Madlingozi, Shenaaz Moos, Sandi Trout, Gadieja van Eden, Linda Waner, Jenny Wright

P/I Programme Consultant: Mireille Landman

Fundraising Consultant: Jetty Botes-Erasmus

Thank you to our board membersTheir commitment, support, guidance and ethical and responsible leadership has ensured that the Parent Centre has remained a well-governed, respected organisation.

Thank you to our staff members and volunteersWhose love and compassion for parents and children, talents and dedication has been the cornerstone of Parent Centre’s success and impact.

Thank You!

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The cornerstone of our success and impact

24

WOrLD CHILDHOOD FOuNDaTION

Endorsements

25

EndorsementsDEParTMENT OF sOCIaL DEVELOPMENT

The Parent CentreUpper Level

Wynberg Centre123 Main Road

WynbergCape Town

7800

Tel: +27 21 762 0116Fax: +27 21 762 5160

Email: reception@theparentcentre.org.zaWebsite: www.theparentcentre.org.za

NPO No: 005-605 PBO No: 18/11/13/448 – Section 18A Fund

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z L3

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