Armed with sandpaper, 5-litre tins of paint and 12cm brushes, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) set about their task with gusto. The five are all studying Public Relations and Communication Management and had been given an assignment to spend time with an NGO to get insight into the programme and develop a report-back presentation. The quintet (Zama Madlala, Sthabiso Dlamini, Nkululeko Dlamini, Cebo kuhle Hlatshwayo and Londeka Dlangisa) spent a day at Othandweni Safe House, a Durban-based shelter supporting women who are survivors of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. It wasn’t all academic…the students marked off part of their time to wash windows and to sand and refurbish furniture.
Esther Madikane, team leader of The Domino Foundation’s Redlight Programme which runs Othandweni, said the initiative showed how young people can be part of building stronger, more caring communities: “We welcome partnerships that bring hope and restoration to GBV survivors.” She added that, to preserve the integrity of Red Light’s beneficiaries and of the safe house, all volunteers are screened and go through an orientation process where they sign a confidentiality agreement before they come onto the property. “The ladies on our programme have come out of traumatic and dysfunctional backgrounds and their restoration journey must be safe.
One of the students said at the end of the day: “We conducted interviews with the staff and gained a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved in the journey to wholeness the beneficiaries make. We also thoroughly enjoyed sprucing up their environment.”
The departing students surprised residents with small gifts and special treats which delighted the toddlers who live with their mothers who are on the programme. One beneficiary commented that the kindness they had been shown reminded Othandweni’s residents that there is a supportive community which cares about their healing process and their futures.
