A mother’s gratitude

Mother Prathina Albrech wrote to thank Girls and Boys Town’s Verulam Family Home for helping her son. It’s your support that leads to outcomes like this ...
‘I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to you for helping Brenton. He’s been to several institutions but the day he went to Girls and Boys Town, improvement started. There’s been a major improvement in his behaviour. I know there’s been times where you were pushed beyond your limits – but through all that you had the patience to go on trying. I really appreciate the time and effort you dedicated to Brenton ... thank you.’

Our cross of hope

Did you know that the ‘cross on the hill’, near our Magaliesburg Youth Development Centre, has an interesting history? Harry Prince shares his story ...

‘On a hot Saturday morning in 1979, some alumni – along with the centre’s youngsters – heaved two halves of the upright of a 20m steel cross up a hill. We were determined to erect this powerful symbol of love and caring to show what the organisation represents. The wooden crosses that had been erected previously had been damaged by veld fires.

‘It was a major exercise which had involved much planning and took great physical endurance. The camaraderie which existed between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ boys and the staff involved was a manifestation of all that then then Boys Town stood for – and still does.

‘We placed the cross onto bolts, which were firmly anchored into a concrete base to stabilise and secure it for many generations. What a reflection of the love and stability that we had obtained from Girls and Boys Town!

‘Many changes have taken place over the years, but some of my fondest memories are of the warmth and love that we shared in the shadow of our cross on the hill that day. Long live Girls and Boys Town!’

‘You changed my life!’

Alumni Anthony Agrella shares his memories of what Boys Town (as we were then called) meant to him – and still does:
‘My time at Boys Town was one of the most memorable. Today, I live according to the values Boys Town gave me. I’m a landlord and have my own supermarket now, and I believe that my success stems from treating people the way I was treated at Boys Town.
‘When I arrived at Boys Town, I decided to place myself ‘under new management’. I’ve served on the Old Boys’ Committee for a number of years and God willing, will do so for many more to come. I thank the late Bishop, Father Sham and all those who served Boys Town. You all moulded the person I am – and what you have done for me, I pass on to my own family now. Thank you.’

Reunited after 15 years

A Family Worker shares her experience of working with a teenager, Kris*, at Girls and Boys Town …
Kris’s history is a tragic one. His mother died when he was two years old and Kris was entrusted to the care of his mother’s family. His father had left to look for work.

His siblings were placed in different children’s homes and Kris moved to other relatives before being placed in foster care. When his father returned, he desperately tried to find his children, but his efforts to locate them proved futile.

Kris’s journey eventually brought him to Girls and Boys Town. We believe that all children need to have a sense of belonging. Without this feeling of connectedness, youth feel rejected and alone – which is why we were determined to connect Kris with his family.

Staff took Kris on trips to locate his siblings in the Isipingo area. There were many unsuccessful ventures but we would not give up.  Persistence paid off and Kris’s sisters were found.

Reunited with their brother, they started to look for their father. We helped by following up leads and digging for further clues. Finally, we traced Mr Domingo.  Although this is what Kris had wanted, he was anxious about meeting the man he’d last seen 15 years ago.

Kris and his dad will always remember October 8: the day they were reunited. It was an emotional time ... Kris reached out to shake his father’s hand – but then, overcome by emotion and his father’s tears, he embraced him.

They have started getting to know each other. Mr Domingo calls regularly to find out how Kris is doing.

Quality of our services matter

Knowing that the outcome of our work depends on the quality of the services we offer, Girls and Boys Town formed a specialised Quality Services division in April 2008.

We also realised that research would not only substantiate our effectiveness as an organisation, but improve effectiveness – so a research unit was incorporated into this department. Our Quality Service division therefore combines the functions of monitoring, evaluation and research and helps all other Girls and Boys Town departments provide enhanced quality in their services.

The research department has developed questionnaires that perform a unique function in bringing together a wide range of issues that examine relations between Girls and Boys Town’s programme activities and their observed consequences.