Amcare making a difference with their programme
The The Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) serves an as important relief and safety providing programme for women in hostile and abusive relationships.
On the second stage of our Journey with Amcare, the RECORD spoke to the organisation about one of the main legs of their service: The Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP).
The VEP serves an as important relief and safety providing programme for women in hostile and abusive relationships.
According to Lebo Tsotetsi, a social worker that works in the VEP at Amcare, the programme provides shelter for up to 20 women and children to provide them with safety from the abusive relationships that they find themselves in.
Before a woman is accepted into the shelter, social workers are sent to their residence to make sure they meet the criteria for admission. The VEP is for women in dangerous situations and is not a shelter for homeless women.
The shelter gives women the opportunity to find their feet for a period of up to six months. At the shelter, the residents receive food and clothes relief. They are given sessions with the social workers who explain to them the situation that they find themselves in and ways to get out and protect themselves.
“We explain to them how a protection order works and encourage them to get one against the perpetrator if necessary,” said Tsotetsi. Of great importance to the VEP is empowering the women to live their own lives breaking the systemic measures of control perpetrators had against them. Women are taught about their rights as well as given the opportunity to learn and develop skills. These skills include catering, sewing and computer skills.
The hope is that after their stay at Amcare these women will be able to provide for themselves and gain independence
“When they leave the shelter they will have the skills they need,” Tsotetsi said.
Children staying at the shelter are given council and assistance with their school work to ensure they excel at school. A great need the shelter has according to Tsotetsi is for another vehicle. Residents at the shelter are driven around in an unmarked vehicle for their safety. There is only one vehicle currently and this puts a strain on transport plans.
Martha Makoena: A success story
Martha, a previous resident at the shelter, told her story to the RECORD.
Martha found herself in an abusive relationship that started in 2013. At the time she believed the abuse to be a temporary thing and that it will get better.
In 2016, due to her partner and her being without a job, their baby girl was taken away from them by social workers that came to see them. When this happened the social workers noticed bruises on Martha and asked her if there was abuse happening. At the time she denied it. Later that year social workers came to their residence again and noticed the same bruises. The social workers informed her about Amcare and she was accepted as a resident.
This is a period of her life that Martha remembers fondly. She spoke about the value of the counselling and skills development she received during her stay.
“Amcare empowered me. They gave me an option,” said Martha.
Martha moved out of the shelter and was eager to start her new life. Martha went back to working at her old job but due to circumstances she, unfortunately, lost her job. Not letting herself get down Martha reached out to Amcare for help.
In May 2017 Martha started working as the cleaner in Amcare’s clinic. After the clinic closed Martha got the opportunity to work as a shop assistant in Amcare’s charity store.
“I’ve learned so much about how to run a shop,” she said.
Join us for Amcare’s journey to relaunching their brand on October 23.
ALSO READ:
Join the journey with Amcare: Who is Amcare?
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