The Most Valuable Property on the Dolphin Coast
Acres of pristine land with fertile soils. 180 Degree Sea Views. Direct access to virgin beaches on the Dolphin Coast between Durban and Ballito. Extensive Buildings. Olympic size swimming pool. Current market value? Priceless!
The property in question has been coveted by developers across the globe. Obscene amounts of money have been offered for it: But the value of this unique property has no monetary value to it’s inhabitants – what comes out of this secret haven of serenity south of Westbrook are Second Chances.
One Hundred Years of Prayers instill a tangible feeling of serene calm. Peace. God Himself could be strolling the grounds…”
Girls and Boys Town, a familiar landmark signpost on the scenic M4 drive between Durban and Ballito, occupies the 100 year old Genazzano mission station. Strolling across the extensive lawns of the estate toward the simple mission cemetery, last resting place for many of the first nuns to the station, one can almost sense God himself walking beside one. The serenity and peace invoked from a century of prayers is tangible on the grounds.
A more idyllic setting to restore troubled youths would be hard to find…
Second Chances
The concept for Boys Town was founded by Father Edward Flanagan in the US in 1917. Born in Ireland, Father Flanagan had a dream that every child could be a productive citizen if given love, a home, an education and a trade. He accepted boys of every race, color and creed into the first home in Omaha and quickly became an expert in child care and juvenile delinquency.
“There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking.” Father Flanagan.
Flanagan’s expertise spread globally as he toured to Europe and Asia after WWII, implementing workable strategies to manage the thousands of orphans left in the wake of the war. Flanagan’s work came to South Africa in 1958. The historical site at the Genazzano Mission has raised and restored troubled children since 1978. Boys Town became Girls & Boys Town in 2004.
Abandoned, Abused, Angry…All Welcomed.
Working closely with social welfare workers, schools, psychologists, clergymen, doctors or any other person in a position to recognize and report a child in need, Girls and Boys Town accept children from 9 – 16 years. Ideally the child will be re-integrated back into the family or community as quickly as possible, but may stay at the children’s home for two years.
Public perception may have a skewered view that Girls and Boys Town is a form of Juvenile Jail facility. Some children may have had minor infractions with the law, but most simply need a safe place they can experience authentic childcare.
“It is true, many of the children come to us with trust issues and may have unexpressed rage against the world…and without the words or means to EXPRESS that, well, things can happen. We had one child who broke every window in the whole place when he first arrived. We understand where that anger comes from and our role here is to teach that youngster HOW to express, deal and focus that energy to more worthwhile actions.” says a volunteer fundraiser Managay Pillay at Girls and Boys Town Tongaat.
Parents Need Parenting Skills
Incorporating Father Flanagan’s original concept that children need to be involved in community decision making processes to become self-governing, self-managing worthwhile members of society, children at the home readily take to given tasks and chores, encouraged by their peers to fulfill their individual responsibilities.
If there was any only ONE thing helpers at the facility would ask for, it is that PARENTS could be skilled in the ideal way to parent.
“Many here are victims of bad parenting, or No parenting,” says a social worker. “If only we could teach the adults how to conduct themselves in the role of ‘parent’, we would have fewer children needing our help.”
Hopeless to Idol Spreading Hope
Season 10 Idols SA winner, Vincent Bones is possibly the most famous Boys Town graduate. Living on the streets and scrounging for discarded leftovers in Sunnyside, Pretoria after the death of his mother and uncle, Vincent was taken in to Girls and Boys Town Randfontein.
His angelic voice and the evident natural musical talent he had when tinkering on the piano in the home, led the home’s organizers to send him to the the Music School of South Africa to hone his skills. After winning the R 800 000 music contract of Idols SA, he opted to share his challenging teen experience with others to give hope to others in similar predicaments to his.
“I wish I knew back then that everything I was going through was preparing me for this life. I wish my teenage self knew. I would have relaxed a bit and not worry so much,” said Vincent.
So Much to Do, So Little to Spend
Girls and Boys Town receive 90% of their operational funds from business or private donations. Operating as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) in terms of the Income Tax Act (Act 58 of 1962). Gifts to Girls & Boys Town are tax deductible in the hands of the donor.
Girls and Boys Town Prayer List
The Boys Town Green Monster leaves an ongoing transportation need…
Fondly known as the ‘Green Monster’, the large old bus served the transportation needs of Boys Town between 1963 and 1982 when it was finally, blessedly, retired. The old bus was donated by Lady Oppenheimer and served the boys as their main form of transportation to various schools and the Girls and Boys holiday village at Munster on the South Coast. Seldom making an uneventful journey, the old bus was integral in developing the prayer life of the boys…blown pistons, oil leaks and even a full blown fire quickly got the boys praying fervently for help in getting to exams, school or sports fixtures. The old Green Monster may be retired, but the desperate need for reliable transportation to get children to their various schools, exams and extra-mural fixtures remains.
Once off donations or monthly debit order contributions for monthly care of a child can be initiated here.
Donation in terms of time or skills development are greatly appreciated. Art, Craft, Cooking Lessons, Drama application…all are a welcome addition to the growth, development and creative expansion of these children who, with the right application of independence, guided mentorship and love have every chance to offer something good and sometimes, great, to the world.
ShowMe More
Girls and Boys Town KwaZulu-Natal operating in Tongaat and Glenwood.
Fundraising Office: 032 943 3189 | kzn@gbtown.org.za
Website: www.girlsandboystown.org.za