Community News

RAPID RESPONSE PROTOCOL FOR POTENTIAL VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Information taking from:

  • Standard Operating Procedure: Trafficking in Persons: Victim Identification, Victim Assistance and Referral system
  • Meetings with KZN human trafficking task team
  • National Policy Framework for Prevention and combating Trafficking in Persons

Identification of potential and presumed victims of trafficking in persons is an authentic challenge for many reasons. To name but a few, trafficking tends to be a hidden phenomenon; trafficked persons are too scared to come forward or do not identify as victims and rights’ holders; stakeholders are often not trained on identifying and helping victims. Identification of a trafficked person can be a complex and time-consuming process because of the complexity of the criminal case or the time necessary for a victim to severe ties with their traffickers and exploiters, recover and speak out. Therefore, in many instances, identification is more a process rather than a result of a prompt act. Nevertheless, it needs to be carried out quickly and accurately to help and protect victims.

  1. Clues for Potential Victim of Trafficking or a Perpetrator:

(Refer to ‘ID human trafficking’ Document as well)

· Who does the talking?· In many cases, a perpetrator will attempt to talk for a victim. The last thing the trafficker wants is for the victim to talk to a member.
· Who is in possession of personal and travel documents?· Perpetrators often take control of the victim’s travel and other documents in order to exercise control over them.
· Who has the money?· Victims rarely have money. Perpetrators often have access to money. Inquire to determine who is in possession of the money.
· Who are friends with whom? What do people in a group know about each other?· In a normal relationship, people know each other by names and will be aware of personal information about each other.
· Is anyone injured?· Victims might have injuries as a result of exploitation.
· How did they get here?· Perpetrators use particular routes to move victims (long and round about routes).
· Why are they there?· Find out from the suspected victims what their initial expectations were, what they have been promised.
  • If you suspect a potential victim of trafficking:

Try gather as much information as possible including

  • the name, surname and contact details of the victim;
  • the location of the victim;
  • the age of the victim and physical description;
  • whether the victim is in any danger and the nature of danger; and
  • whether the victim needs to be rescued and whether there are other victims, if so, how many.
  • Assess the victim’s immediate needs for care and services.
  • Ask for their story, try write down what they share with you after you finish talking with them – names of people, places, any circumstantial evidence that could assist police in a raid etc. 

Contact or go directly to the closest police station in your area is your first point of call – police should use “Screening Interview Form” to assist with the profiling of the victims of trafficking in persons. A case docket should be opened.

The police should contact a social worker from Department of Social Development and they should refer victim to a registered place of Safety.

Open Door Crisis Centre in Pinetown is a registered place of safety +27 31 709 2679.

NB contact details :

If you can’t get to police station – you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Line – 0800 222 777 or report via website www.0800222777.org.za

Dawn Coleman Malinga – Head of KZN Task Team

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PROTOCOL FOR THOSE WANTING TO EXIT THE SEX INDUSTRY CALL 0800 222 777

Many women will share that they want to get out of the lifestyle, so you need to put systems in place to assess their commitment and tenacity to exit the industry.

Some helpful suggestions from our Redlight Programme Team.

  • Hand out Contact Cards – have a separate cell phone with a different number to your personal one, where they can Whatsapp you or miss call you to meet up at another time. I would add the Human Trafficking Resource Line number 0800 222 777 on the card too so if they are desperate they can make contact at any time with the resource line
  • If they don’t have a phone on them, but they know their number – you can do a follow up call with them the next day and make an arrangement to meet up.
  • Always make a plan to meet up in a public place (restaurant or somewhere visible that the ladies are familiar with) and make sure you bring someone with you who can be watching from a distance as protection and can be there to pray.
  • If they show up, bring a notepad with you and just share with them that you want to hear their story and get to know them – allow them to share without interrupting and write down as much as possible – up to you if you want to offer to pay for some food or drinks.

Possible questions to ask:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Where they currently live and with who
  • What area they come from, grew up?
  • School and education level
  • What family, children they have
  • Friendships
  • Previous activity before working on the streets
  • How long have they been working in the industry, who introduced them to the streets?
  • Addiction and substance abuse (often don’t admit truthfully so try to  minimize this aspect)
  • What would they like to do if they could do anything

Once they share all this information with you, you can share how you can/would like to assist them and to encourage them that all it takes is the courage to continue to show up to these meetings and you can share other stories of ladies and men who have successfully left the streets, who have got help getting out of addiction and into other employment opportunities.

FOLLOW UP REFERRALS

  1. The Domino Foundation – Redlight Program

Call Esther Madikane – Redlight Number 076 190 5037, or on the Domino Office number – 031 563 9605 or on email release@domino.org.za

Based in Durban North

Domino Restoration Program can assist with:

  • Refer to an Addiction rehabilitation program and support groups
  • Counselling
  • Spiritual Healing
  • Skills development
  • Education opportunities, short courses
  • Stipends and basic needs provision to support while exiting the industry
  • Vocational training and work experience
  • Medical assistance
  1. The Open Door Crisis Centre: Pinetown +27 31 709 2679
  • Counselling
  • Clinic Services
  • Place of Safety
  1. Human Trafficking Resource Line – 0800 222 777

If the ladies ever feel in danger or want to escape a situation – they can call that toll free number and someone will answer 24/7

 

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Jayda Mun-Gavin’s Story

What a complete privilege and opportunity to have taken a moment to capture this young woman’s story from #CradletoCareer.

Take a listen to Jayda’s story from abandonment, to being the 4th child placed at the Domino Fairhaven’s Babies Home, then adopted by Richard and Jaci Mun-Gavin to matriculating in 2020!

Hear her story here recorded with her bestie Grace Shepard, and take a listen to what they have to say to the youth …

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Legacy Role Players

From our inception in 2004 as Indlela we thought it would be helpful to have a “family tree” of the all those who have laid the foundations, taken the baton and run the race to bring life and hope to those we are called to serve

The Fairhavens Babies home for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) was birthed by Jenni Wallace then led and loved by Melanie Turner, then Sandy Hamblin and is now in the capable hands of Crisis Mother Precious Thabete.

Early Childhood Development (ages new born – 6 years old) was began with Yvonne Haviland, then Toni Wilkins with Gavin Simpkins advising, Slie Ndimande and is now led by Zanele Nzimakwe.

The Literacy Programme for Foundation Phase (Grade 1 – 3) was introduced by Rachel Bowyer and is now overseen by Leigh-Ann Stevens.

Life Skills Programme (from Grade 4 – Matric) was built by Toni Wilkins and continues to be championed by Leigh-Ann Stevens.

The Counselling Centre – was also started by Toni Wilkins.

Skills Development (Tertiary Education and Enterprise Development) was managed by Brad & Taryn King, and is now facilitated by The Domino Foundation CEO, Shaun Tait

Nutrition Programme (formerly known as Feeding) was established Joan Smith then managed by Simon Cordial to Yvonne Haviland, to Sheila Simpkins, then Brenda Scheepers and is now led by Cathy Whittle (North Durban) & Cheryl Dann (South Durban)

Red Light Anti Human Trafficking (Vulnerable Women at Risk) was founded by Natalie Ogden, then managed by Lauren Cullen and is now led by Esther Madikane & Gugu Mazwele

The Disaster Response Unit started in 2016 and is also led by Cathy Whittle

Other key roles played by people on a part time basis over the years:

Deputy Chairman – Danny du Plessis, Simon Cordial, Laurence Stevens and Lance Turner

The legacy of the Domino Leadership has been steered by

2004 – 2013 CEO and Chairman Mickey Wilkins

2014 – 2018 CEO and Chairman Richard Mun-Gavin

2014 – 2020 Treasurer and CFO, our dearly beloved Mannie Chettiar

2019 – Current CEO is Shaun Tait and Richard Mun-Gavin remains Chairman of the Board alongside Board Members who include Mickey Wilkins, Shaun Tait, Michele Gorrie, Robert Nthuli, Michael Mun-Gavin and Michael Ferreria.

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Mandela Day – Online Activations

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” Nelson Mandela

We realise and respect that many of you might want to do something for Mandela Day this year but would prefer to do it from the comfort of your own offices or homes. So herewith some simple and super fun options:

  1. Could you zap a R67 gift to us? Thank you Zap away and please challenge 6 – 7 friends to do the same! Can we make it easier? WhatsApp us on 083 777 5633 and we will send you the mobile Zapper link to forward on …
  2. Are you an avid Zwift racing cyclist? Yay then please cycle in the Virtual Aquelle Tour Durban on 25 and 26 July 2020. It is R50 per entry and you can seriously chase that leader board!!
  3. Or are you more of a #WeekendWarrior type cyclist, where it’s about the coffee and the connecting and the great open road? Great, then please get your cycling crew and sign up to participate in the Virtual Aquelle Tour Durban on 25 and 26 July 2020 It is also R50 per entry and you can race your mates along the beach, bush or berg …
  4. Are you artistic and wildly creative? Could you draw a picture, do a painting, create a doodle or take a series of photographs? Anything to do with hope. Then you can auction it off to your friends and family online, tag us in your “online exhibition”, share your story and donate the proceeds to us!
  5. Do you act, create drama, write poetry or sing? Could you add your voice to a video about the importance of education, justice and nutrition? You could share it on your social media channels and tag The Domino Foundation to create greater awareness of the importance of the #DominoEffect – #fromcradletocareer giving #dignity #hope and #justice
  6. How about challenging your friends overseas to any of the above options? We have PayPal especially for those that love Africa, her sunshine, Shwe Shwe, the big 5 and our beloved Madiba!
  7. Could you continue to raise awareness and support of our Hope Vouchers please? R410 is just a click away and brings freedom of choice and dignified relief aid

THANK YOU AND GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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AGM 2020 Notice

Dear Domino Foundation Members, Partners and Donors,
 
I trust that you are holding up during these unusual days of the COVID-19 virus and the resultant lockdown. I am pleased to report that The Domino Foundation has been able to add considerable weight to the eThekwini Disaster Management efforts over the past 10 weeks and it is a privilege to be a fellow member of this great organisation.
 
It is our responsibility as the Board of Members of The Domino Foundation to hold an Annual General Meeting within six months of our financial year-end, which is 31 December each year. As a Board, we have explored multiple scenarios as to the possibility of holding an AGM during the ‘national lockdown’ we all currently face, and after presenting our options to legal counsel, it is our opinion that it would be best to defer our AGM for the 2019 year to a date (to be set) when all Members, Partners and Donors, have the possibility of attending in person.
 
This will mean that we have not fulfilled the technical responsibility for holding an AGM within six months of our year-end, however, we believe the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in force us to defer beyond the six months allowed. We will, however, be sending our Annual Report in due course.
 
The reason we have opted to defer the date for the AGM is due to the fact that we value all of The Domino Foundation Members and our desire is that everyone of us should have the opportunity to attend the meeting, which may not be possible should we hold it via electronic/digital medium. Should it be foreseeable, by October, that it will not be possible to meet in person in 2020, we will revert to holding a virtual AGM in the last quarter of the year.
 
We trust that you will support the Board in this matter and we look forward to seeing you all at the AGM when we are able to meet in person. 
 
Kind regards,
Richard Mun-Gavin on behalf of The Domino Foundation Board

Should you require further information please kindly contact us on admin@domino.org.za

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Hope in the face of disaster

The Disaster Response Team is intentional about being prepared to respond to a disaster at any time, collecting non-perishable food items, blankets, tarpaulins, toiletries and basic essentials all the time. As an ongoing support unit this intervention sends relief buckets monthly to different families in need through the local churches and partners, but it is always a short term action, so as not to create a long term dependence.

Of course as at 25 March 2020, nothing could have indicated the massive devastating pandemic that was facing this unit within Domino, more than the global, Biological Disaster called COVID-19. It has been an insanely tough 9 weeks as the fear, insecurity, instability, economic crisis and demanding needs and logistics have at times been overwhelming but in partnership with the KZN Disaster Response Team we have managed to exceed our best efforts to support vulnerable families in KZN and all the updates and stats can be found on our COVID-19 Page

There is still so much to be done so please continue to reach out and invest if this concerns you!

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Office ready, so staff can feel safe!

We understand that returning to work has created various levels of stress and anxiety for many staff members, so in accordance with Government Regulations we have created our Work Readiness Plan and shared with all our staff via email and Whatsapp so they can feel as safe and valued.

So please feel free to download ours and adjust this work place readiness plan to suit your organisation if that would help you and your staff too – THE DOMINO FOUNDATION COVID-Ready Reopening Plan is here for you!

As stipulated within the REGULATIONS ISSUED IN TERMS OF SECTION 27(2) OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002, Dated 29.04.2020, The Domino Foundation Disaster Management Programme is classified as an Essential Service (Part O, of table 1 as well as Annexure D, Part B, point 2) which has continued to operate throughout the lockdown. As we enter level 4, other programmes of The Domino Foundation will reopen as per Table 1, Alert level 4, Part P, point 4 as well as Annexure D, Part B, points 2, 9 and 31. These include programmes that provide all social work, counselling, care and relief to older persons, mentally ill, persons with disabilities, the sick and children.

This plan outlines the strategy and actions taken to ensure the safe reopening of The Domino Foundation and its programmes as per Regulation a6(6)(b) of REGULATIONS ISSUED IN TERMS OF SECTION 27(2) OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002. Dated 29.04.2020.

 

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Q&A – How can you help in the COVID-19 crisis?

WOW, we have been amazed at the commitment and support of communities in action and our hearts are to continue working as one body with many parts.

Therefore we thought it would be useful to you to help field some of your pressing questions, so we can all be as effective as possible, in these unpredictable times to assist with good intentions and efficacy.

Suggested Schools Response

With all schools currently closed and the Government/School Nutrition Programmes out of commission/action, this is the time for local school families to help other school families in need, if you can, please.

Most schools have a ‘Moms who Care/Prayer’ committee who may already be aware of and are currently helping, vulnerable families in need. Or if you don’t know the families you can contact the school Administrator to find out who needs help/support.

A simple suggestion would be that for every school family in need, 3 – 5 other school families could divide and conquer to support with a few additional basics to meet those needs on a weekly basis? We suggest you have one champion co-ordinating those efforts (Ideally someone from Moms who Care/Prayer Committee instead of reinventing the wheel)

It is NB not to move, but as many families are already going to the shops for their own basic needs, the idea is to simply add a few extra items into your basket. And the reality is there will be parents who work in Essential Services and will have a driving permit, who could help collect and deliver aid if/where necessary #eachonereachone.

In essence, everyone has something small to assist with to help school families in need #manydropsmakeariver

Suggested Church Response

Churches looking inward: Pastoral Care

As with the above, if each Small Group, Life Group, Connect Group and/or Home Group Leader is aware of the needs within their congregation and liaises within the group themselves to help meet those needs, that is first prize!

Secondly appealing to the Mercy Ministry within the church structure for a coordinated effort in responding to ensure that there are none in need among us (Acts 2 Church in action)

Churches looking outwards:

Please call the other churches within your areas (Anglican, Charismatic, Methodist etc) and identify what each of you has in your hands to serve your collective community (someone in your congregation will have a driving permit, some will have funds to donate and some will join and lead intercessory prayer groups etc). Please connect, collaborate and crack on!!

Suggested NGO Response

Now more than ever is a time to meaningful collaboration and partnering all feet on the ground.  It is imperative that NGO’s are mapping those working in the same Geo-locations as themselves and are communicating daily as to the needs within those communities to strengthen the reach and not overburden resources.

The basics in relief work is to identify the three BIG W’s

WHO is doing WHAT, WHERE?

Compile lists of skills and services and then co-labour to meet the needs of those you are called to serve. NB Please make sure you have permits to do so!

Suggested Individual Response

Please this is not the time to start another project, NGO or Food Hamper Collection Drive without supporting those already in motion.

There are so many people in desperate need (people who live alone without family, the elderly, widows, orphans, single parents and foreign nationals) and the demands can be crippling and overwhelming if not managed steadily and wisely.  You don’t want to take a shotgun, spray approach.

When individuals/families/couples contact you for support or help, direct them to their local church/Pastoral Team who will find out their needs and ways to assist if possible (Do people need someone to help with shopping, collecting medication, meals, data or money, etc)

For some, it is simple a listening ear and some love and encouragement that they are not alone and we will get through this #bettertogether

Suggested Homeless Response

The City has set up 15 (and counting) Satellite Homeless Shelter Sites, where individuals are screened for COVID-19, TB and other medical requirements and then referred to a suitable site or directed to a hospital/healthcare facility.

The homeless are provided with shelter, blanket, a daily program of suggested activities and 3 meals a day.

We understand that most homeless people are not used to boundaries and it is tough to adjust to a regular schedule and structure when being so independent on the streets. Please continue to refer them to Moses Mabhida to receive assistance.

We welcome your questions so please do email us on admin@domino.org.za

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COVID-19 In response to our Staff

STAFF/TEAM:

As a large proportion of our staff live within the communities that we serve, a number of our staff are at risk of infections as well. While we as a civil society role player exist to serve our beneficiaries, we as an organisation also exist for the benefit of our teams. The team’s health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance and as such we have implemented a Work from Home (WFH) Policy up until 14 April 2020, when schools and programmes are scheduled to resume.

Field-based teams – As per our usual protocol during school holidays, field-based teams will break for the extended holidays (18 March – 14 April 2020)

Office-based teams – The team will have remote access, utilise Zoom technologies for Virtual Meetings and schedule regular Telecommunications Meetings as needed while working from home.

Our team will continue to support our Stakeholders and Partners effectively and efficiently during this period. We have instructed all staff to practise essential social distancing techniques, increased hygienic practices, strict immune support programmes as well as self-isolation should any symptoms materialise over the next few weeks.

MEMBERS:

Finally to our Members, we are responsible to you for ensuring that The Domino Foundation continues to serve our Stakeholders, support our communities, influence our city and achieve our objectives for 2020. We have conducted a Risk Assessment, combined with an Environmental Analysis of our macroeconomic impacts and are developing a strategy to ensure our continued success throughout this period. Our focus during this period, is to continue with our core programme objectives and ensure the well-being of our Beneficiaries, Partners and Staff/Team.

Kind regards,

Shaun Tait

Chief Executive Officer

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