Our Clients
50% of South African children live below the poverty line, where their very basic needs are not met.
The 2030 Agenda urges us all to “leave no one behind” and “endeavour to reach the furthest behind first”.
At Community Keepers we welcome the ‘disruptive child’; the ‘difficult teenager’; the learner who is withdrawn, anxious or angry; and those who appear to cope but are masking, to keep the peace. These are the learners who need us most.
We are unique in that we have a multi-disciplinary team made up of professional psychologists, social workers, registered counsellors and mental health first aiders who collectively offer a professional service, equal to that of a private practice, and we offer it at no charge. Our consulting rooms are on school premises, removing the barrier of access.
Our model is not built on dependency. We facilitate, empower, enable and equip young people, and their support systems, to build resilience and to cultivate a culture of well-being. We serve as the catalyst for igniting agency in previously dis-empowered people.
The holistic approach includes the whole school community. Supporting, encouraging and up-skilling educators and parents builds long-term change in behaviour and breaks the cycles of trauma, despair, helplessness and hopelessness.
Learners and their caregivers are the drivers of this change, not the therapists. The obvious benefits of this model are dignity, independence and the principle of “communities uplifting themselves”.
Sharna Fernandez, Social Development MEC says:
“We are concerned about the unacceptably high severity of child abuse and neglect. Children are left alone unattended by parents who are addicted to alcohol and drugs. This is while threats and risk of sexual abuse is more prevalent at home now more than on the streets.”
And Litlhare Radebe, Save the Children SA advocacy manager says:
“It is worrying that children are becoming perpetrators, this reflects the nature of the violent society we live in. If we don’t act now to correct this, then the circle of violence will continue for generations to come. We need to deal with the issue of violence in our society holistically from the home setting to the school setting.”
What is trauma?
“Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. It does not discriminate and it is pervasive throughout the world.
Effects of trauma can include a variety of responses, such as intense and ongoing emotional upset, anxiety, depression, behavioral changes, difficulties with self-regulation, problems relating to others or forming attachments, regression or loss of previously acquired skills, attention and academic difficulties, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and eating, and physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. Older children may use drugs or alcohol, behave in risky ways, or engage in unhealthy sexual activity.
Traumatic stress impacts mental health and well-being. Adult survivors of traumatic events may also have difficulty in establishing fulfilling relationships and maintaining employment.”
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network