Taking in the homeless and caring for them had always been a dream of Coleen Pietersen from Tender, Love and Care (TLC) Outreach Projects – now that dream has reached the top tier after opening doors for the homeless who wish to obtain their learner’s licence.
Just recently, eight learners passed their learner’s licence test at the City of Cape Town’s Culemborg Safe Space, a first for the province.
Pietersen says once they place the homeless into a shelter, their goal together with the City is to empower each of them with a personal development programme (PDP).
“TLC hosted its first learner’s class for those in a shelter,” says Pietersen.
“Our first intake was 14 of which nine passed. Our second intake is during the school holidays,”
The learners’ classes were facilitated by TLC Outreach Projects in Table View, and the participants were selected after completing developmental programmes during their stay at a City Safe Space, which included job readiness training, family strengthening, and life skills training.
Intake
“While this is a regular stepping stone for most of us, it’s a point of significant progress for those at our Safe Spaces,” says the City’s Mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross.
“We are currently negotiating with external stakeholders to offer them the chance to do their driver’s licences.”
This will open up even more opportunities to improve their circumstances.
A further 32 will do their learners licence tests towards the end of May.
Seven of the eight safe-space residents who passed are currently residing at the Culemborg Safe Space 2. The eighth participant was reunited with his family earlier this year, but requested to do his learner’s as part of many other training opportunities being offered.
“I am encouraged by the eagerness of our safe-space residents to grab hold of the opportunities presented. It is not an easy road, but we are committed to assisting them every step of the way,” says Van der Ross.
Pietersen says they are looking forward to the June intake.
“From the street to a shelter to job empowerment and employment.
If anyone would like to assist them with the drivers, we welcome your contribution. Together we can do more. Thank you Pastor Aidan Jeffery and Pastor Sharon Jefferey,” Pietersen says.
More about TLC
TLC Outreach Projects is a registered non-profit organisation located in Table View. TLC, founded in 1996, is a community-based project with the goal of saving and changing children’s lives every day.
TLC deals with children daily that have been abused in various ways, and that have lived on the streets of Cape Town, some of them even for years. These children have taken drugs and had to live on their own from a very young age. They had to fight their way through a difficult, hard and dangerous life.
The organisation is trying to help these children and make their lives better. They run several facilities for their care and preventive programmes.
To help even the youngest children, TLC erected “Educare Centres”, located in the Table View Police Station, which serve the purpose of caring for troubled children during the week and preparing them for school.
These children need love and care and sometimes even need to be fed after the weekend because they do not get food at home.
By feeding and teaching them basic reading, writing and maths skills, TLC tries to give them the care and the education they deserve and that they do not receive at home.
- For those wishing to help, contact Pietersen on 083 658 4032.
