HOUSE OF REFUGE

HOUSE OF REFUGE:

At the Refuge, all children are registered. The basic information is registered in a book and this is transferred to the computer. The children start their preparation period and this is recorded as well. As soon as the training starts, money is needed and the child will be listed with one of the donors who support CAS in the sponsorship scheme.

As mentioned before, inconsistency is a serious problem. The child starts learning a trade but after a few months decides to stop or change trades. It is the task of the social workers to convince the child to continue. Somehow it is logical; they have very few role models to learn from. When father or mother is educated, the child will be encouraged to learn as well.

During the year 2012, 35 ‘new’ children were recorded, 13 males and 22 females. The age group is 13-18 years. These children were introduced to all activities. After a period, social surveys were conducted on those who wanted to be trained.

When children are sick the nurse takes care of them. Serious cases were referred to the hospital and handed over to the social worker of the DSW at the hospital.

181 cases were reported for treatment with six (6) referred for medical treatment for various illnesses and three (3) pregnancy cases to SAID for antenatal and post-natal care.

Health Education classes were organised and the nurse touched on bilharzias, birth control methods, personal hygiene, intensive breast feeding and weaning. We also had visitors from the lion’s club who gave them education on hard drugs and its effect on the body. Often these lessons are part of the Friday entertainment program.

Security of the House of refuge remains a problem. CAS asked the assistance of a security firm but we were not satisfied with their performances. A private security officer was employed and the Refuge was broken into. We asked the services of other firm and during the Christmas holidays, another theft case occurred. This time the thieves could not enter the main office because we had secured it special. However, the security firm was convinced that this case happened during the day. At the moment one of the bigger boys is employed to watch the premises during the day.

At the refuge, some basic skills are taught to those interested. Skills such as: baking, cooking, hairdressing, bead-making, carving and sewing, as well as domestic services and baby care.

Our catering activities continued over the year. Children were introduced to various cuisines, both local and foreign. Foods prepared include omotuo and groundnut soup, Bambara beans with ripe plantain, macaroni cheese, sponge cake and potato salad, fruit cake, fruit salad, ring doughnut, pancake, yam balls and salad with chicken and potato chips, jollof rice, palmnut soup with yam, fufu and light soup with goat, yam ampesi and garden eggs stew, beans with fried plantain, yam with tomato sauce, and kokonte with groundnut soup.