Ray of Hope.htm


VISION We firmly believe that every human being, especially women and children, have the right to quality of life.

	MISSION To implement and maintain developmental programmes of internationally high standards to the previously disadvantaged communities through the commitment and dedication of professional and dedicated staff members.
OBJECTIVES The Ray of Hope Academy will provide need driven services to the previously disadvantaged communities by prevention, treatment and training programmes. A one-stop multi-function organisation that will address all forms of social problems. These services will be divided into the following fields of service together with the objectives the Ray of Hope Academy will strive to obtain. ADMINISTRATION The Ray of Hope Academy will be administered as a division of The Light of Hope Trust and with the objective of developing a Multi Care Centre in Mossel Bay providing social services to the community. The services provided will include the following activities and services and will be expanded as the needs for additional services are identified. Aids awareness and counseling Violence against women and children Alcohol and drug abuse Offender reintegration Senior Citizens Job Creation The objective is also to develop training programmes in various fields of activities in order to create work opportunities for the unemployed members of the community in Mossel Bay. All existing organisations and non governmental organisations, including government departments, will be invited to join the steering committee of the Academy in order to make a meaningful contribution to achieve the objective to better the lives of previous disadvantaged communities. The Multi Care Centre will offer a one-stop address for the community and the services to be offered will not be fragmented but coordinated. The facilities will be available to the other organisations and coordination between the various disciplines will be of the utmost importance.
	LOCATION After extensive investigations and studies undertaken, the property of The Hotel Portoa Diaz was identified as being the most cost affective method in creating the facilities for a multi purpose care centre and the implementation of the various programmes as identified. The property is not only ideally located within the central business district of D'Almeida in Mossel Bay, but within close proximity of the Shopping Centre, Post Office and Police Services. The property also renders itself for future extension of facilities whenever the need should arise.
The facilities are well equipped in order to cater for the specific needs and limited financial resources are required for additional equipment. The establishment of the multi purpose care centre can be implemented within a limited period of time. The property consist of the following facilities: 32 Bedrooms 2 Private lounges General office with walk-in safe Public Lounge Dining Room 2 Conference rooms Public Bar Kitchen Public Toilets 3 Housekeeping offices 2887 sq m Off sale facilities with storerooms 400 sq m Hall with facilities 305 sq m The property upon which the facilities are established is in extent 7117 sq metres. The facilities can be utilised as follow: 16 Rooms Section: Abused women and children 7 Rooms Rehabilitation Alcohol and drugs 9 Rooms 1 Admin Office 1 General office 3 Social workers 1 Consulting room 2 Withdrawal rooms Hall - Training Centre Off sale facility - Skills training Public Bar -Training Centre
It should be noted that the property is not developed to its full extent and 1850 sq m of vacant land is available on the western side of the property for future extension such as an orphanage. The facility is fully equipped and a limited additional cost would be needed to change the facility from a hotel to a care centre.
HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS is the major health and social problem facing South Africa and the Western Cape Province today. The rate at which HIV is spreading both nationally and provincially, requires decisive intervention and an increase in resources devoted to fighting and coping with the effects of HIV and Aids. HIV and Aids thrive in conditions of poverty and underdevelopment, constant rural-urban migration, violence and destabilisation all of which vary in degree and form in South Africa. The National Assembly declared HIV and Aids a national emergency. Options such as surrogate care for orphaned and abandoned children have a limited capacity to deal with the expected social impact of HIV and Aids in our communities given the rate of infections in South Africa today. They may also be unsustainable in the long term considering the ever-increasing amounts of monthly funds that will be spent on foster grants. Support and training of caregivers and volunteers should receive priority. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN Violence against women in South Africa has reached endemic proportions. Figures released recently show that the incidence of rape in South Africa is the highest worldwide. It is estimated that approximately one million women and girls are raped each year, or one every 28 seconds. In South Africa domestic violence or battery is higher than in other countries. It is estimated that one in six women are in an abusive relationship and that one woman is killed every six days by an intimate partner. Violence against women is recognised as an international and national priority. The incidence and prevalence of violence against women symbolise gender inequality and patriarchy in our society. The prevention and eradication of violence against women form part of the broader struggle for gender equality and dignity and safety for all. As a result of these growing problems an accessible and effective service to victims are essential. Victims often complain that they receive inadequate services from the police and that district surgeons are not always available. Whether this is the case or not, the perceptions of the victims are real. Victims need to have support while they wait for medical examination or for the completion of statements SENIOR CITIZENS According to Government Policy, senior citizens must be accommodated within the community as long as possible. The assumption is made that senior citizens do not receive recognition for their input in the community, past and present. Senior citizens cannot obtain the necessary care due to the lack of accessible services. It is a further objective of the Ray of Hope Academy to provide a service to senior citizens on a weekly basis. ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE Alcohol and drug abuse is one of the biggest health and social problems in South Africa. Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a multi dimensional problem, which causes a negative impact on every facet of a human beings functioning. The most common factors when dealing with addictive behaviour are the persons defence mechanism, physical and psychological addiction, poor self-knowledge, marital and family problems, lack of social skills and a high number of relapses. Therefore a need arises for the rendering of a comprehensive service. Primary prevention programmes focus on information on alcohol and drugs as well as life skills for children to young adulthood. Because we believe that children/youth are still vulnerable and receptive for change, this project will strive to inculcate positive behaviour and lifestyle by instilling positive social and life skills. OFFENDER REINTEGRATION According to the Department of Correctional Services: Community Corrections: most offenders re-offend after release from prison. Successful reintegration of ex-offenders is thus one component of crime prevention. It costs approximately R78-00 per day to keep a person in prison. According to DCS 90% of their prisons are more than 100% occupied each month. In Mossel Bay the Prison population is currently 649, which means it is more than 150% over-populated. DCS struggle with the process of reintegration in Mossel Bay due to the fact that most offenders are unskilled and the possibility of employment is limited. Crime is thus an outcome of poor financial circumstances. The Ray of Hope Academy will strive to put ex-offenders through a schooling process and thereafter teach them one of the trades as will be dealt with hereinafter. A working agreement with local industries will be put in place for the employment to ensure that the ex-offender will generate an income after successfully completing his trade. JOB CREATION/CAPACITY BUILDING PROPOSED TRAINING PROGRAMMES - SELF-EMPLOYMENT SECTOR BUSINESS SKILLS Given the relevant equipment, material and training, the trainee will be able to run a small business. OUTCOME: Entrepreneurial qualities, Business and its objectives, Selection of a business opportunity, Assessing the market, Business plan, Source of finance, Planning and decision-making, Objectives and strategies, Describe budgeting and policies, Performance standards/measurements, Purchasing function, Retail purchasing Pricing process, Merchandise display, Shop layout, Stock control, Stocktaking procedures, Customer relations and service, Advertising and promotions, Selling procedures, Sales performance, Record keeping, Financial fundamentals, Profit planning/budgeting, Action controls, Credit controls, Monitor accounts, Business success/failure, Business growth, Staff management and Staff recruitment OTHER AREAS OF TRAINING Candle Wicking, Domestic Assistant, Home Management, Carpentry, Welding, Waitron Basic, Electrical Appliance Repairing and Development of Programmes