VUYANI Timeline
2000
Vuyani Safe Haven receives their first intake of Children
2003
Vuyani moves to 87 Cradock Street
2007
Boys Home opens at the Station
2010
Appointment of a fulltime Manager
Implementation of the New Children’s’ Act
Volunteer Program initiated through Samara Private Game Reserve
2011
NPO certificate received
Child and Youth Care Centre indicated by the Camdeboo District
Business Plan approved by Department of Social Development
2012
Year funding through the Rupert Educational Trust
Appointment of Fulltime Social Worker
Stanley Accounting places Vuyani Finances in good order through
strict financial Policies.
More Personnel are employed to improve services to our children and
to adhere to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act
Transformation of the Board as well as Personal has become a Priority.
2013
Vuyani Board has received training and reviewed the Vision
Mission and Constitution.
Middle Management has been upgraded, with the appointment of a
Supervisor, Administration Officer and a Driver to support Management
The large Donation from Wiphold, has led to greater security and
sustainability.
2014
Registration of Vuyani as a Child and Youth Centre
2000
Vuyani Safe Haven receives their first intake of Children
2000
First Vuyani Safe Haven Board
2003
Vuyani moves to 87 Cradock Street
2007
Thanduxolo Boy’s Home opens at the Station master’s house in Reinetpark under Lena Adams
2010
Appointment of a fulltime Manager
2010
Volunteer Program initiated by Samara Private Game Reserve
2011
Vuyani greets Moira Strauss on her leaving for Calitzdorp in 2011
2012
Business Plan approved by the Department of Social Development and Vuyani received a subsidy for 20 children from 2012
❤ 3-Year funding through the Rupert Educational Trust for key staff
❤ Appointment of Fulltime Social Worker brings professionalism in dealing with the statutory requirements of the children’s act
❤ Stanley Accounting places Vuyani’s finances in good order through strict financial Policies.
2012
More Sleep-in caregivers are employed to improve services to our children.
2013 & 2014
Vuyani Board received training in NPO management and reviewed the Vision, Mission and Constitution.
❤ Provisional Registration of Vuyani as a Child and Youth Centre
❤ Necessary HR Policies and other required policies put in place
2015
The board creates the PR & Marketing post to work towards financial stability through regular donations, applications for funding and other fundraising efforts, e.g. Add Hope Foundation
2016
A growing increase in monthly donations lead to more sustainability
2017
LOTTO application for funding approved. More support from businesses and the community
2018
Vuyani’s Learning Centre opened, Hildegarde Brummer appointed as full-time manager and Chandre Rhoode appointed as Social Worker.
2019
Vuyani’s new branding implemented and eco programs with Samara
2019
We remember 2019 as the year of the drought
❤ The Nqweba dam ran dry, but Gift of the Givers came to the aid of the town and Vuyani.
❤ Vuyani was greatly supported by different Volunteer programs, especially Lathallan Schools from Scotland and Samara Private Game Reserve’s Volunteer Program
2020
The year started great: All our children back to school in brand new school clothes
2020
Nosipho Witbooi, who came to Vuyani as a 10-year old completed her matric certificate successfully and was enrolled as student at the SA College of Tourism.
2020 – Covid 19
Plans were underway for Vuyani Safe Haven’s 20 Year Celebration – And then Covid-19 happened …
❤ Vuyani as an Essential Service, under the leadership of our management team and with full co-operation of loyal staff stayed open to render care to our vulnerable children.
❤ After a DQA visit from the Sara Baartman district office of the Dept. of Social Development Vuyani’s 5-year Renewal Application was approved.
2020
Vuyani Learning Centre assisted all our school-going children until schools opened again.
2020
Vuyani distributed 1300 food parcels to needy families in Graaff-Reinet district through the KFC Add Hope Foundation and the support of local stakeholders.
2021
Nosipho Witbooi, at Vuyani since 2010, completed her 12-month SA College for Tourism / Drostdy Hotel Learnership Programme and in December she was employed as chef at Samara Private Game Reserve.
2021
Lena Adams, one of the Vuyani’s Founder members in 2000, passed away on 31 July 2021. She served loyally to the end – first as mother of the children and since 2015 as Board member.
2021
Vuyani acquired Thanduxolo House in Bourke Street for our older children through funding from the National Lotteries Commission.
2021
Our Cradock Street property was transferred to Vuyani Safe Haven after many years.
2022
Funding from the Rupert Education Trust in 2022 now supports all the holistic professional therapy services rendered to our children.
2022
Internal monthly staff training to support behaviour and trauma management for Vuyani’s caregivers.
2023
Five of Vuyani’s caregivers completed their CEFA training as Child and Youth Care Workers funded by the DG Murray Trust.
A friends of Vuyani group put together a Birthday party every 2 months for our kids Vuyani’s kids started with computer classes and now utilize our computer facility for assignments and projects.
2023
Extra Maths Classes and tutoring by a secondary phase teacher for our older children now also funded by the Rupert Foundation.
