Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre in Despatch has been a haven since 1980 for destitute and vulnerable children from the Eastern Cape. For the past 25 years its existence, Mirriam Mojani has helped raise and nurture countless children.
“She has provided these children with hope to overcome their hardships and reach their potential. Her gentle and unassuming nature has helped her to develop positive relationships with children that are often untrusting of adults,” said Travis Marshall, director of Oosterland CYCC.
Oosterland on Monday honoured Mirriam, a Child and Youth Care Worker, for her 25 years of loyal service to this proudly South African institution which provides a loving home environment for 100 children who have been found in need of care by the Children’s Court.
“Mirriam made history, as she has been here for more than half of Oosterland’s existence and the first ever Oosterland staff member to receive a 25-year loyal service award.”
“The children at Oosterland come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, violence or having been orphaned or abandoned. Oosterland’s main aim is to empower these children with positive experiences, enabling them to take charge of their own lives and future with dignity and respect,” said Marshall.
“Mirriam fulfilled an excellent role in reaching out to these children and to encourage them to be their best, while at the same time correcting them when they misstep. This is the core of child and youth care work and is the reason why she has been so successful over the years.”
According to Mirriam she started off doing domestic work for Valerie Brits who stayed in one of Oosterland’s residences and then heard of a child and youth care worker position. She applied, was successful and ever since dedicated her life to Oosterland’s children.
“I love children, especially the babies and have changed many nappies in my lifetime. For many of the teens I have been their confidante, they have shared their ins-and-outs with me. When I go to town, I often hear ‘hallo Mamma …’ then it is adults who many years ago were babies in my care. It makes me proud, seeing that they have become successful in their lives,” said Mirriam.
“Discipline is the most important aspect in bringing up children. I do not like to scold children, but they know when I am quiet, I am angry about what they have done wrong.”
Veronica Thambo (Oosterland Child and Youth Care Worker Supervisor) said, “Mirriam is a humble person who loves and always takes care of children. She is a role-model and will never be harsh with children but has her way to discipline them in such a way that it will have a positive impact on them.”
Collette September (20) was in Mirriam’s care since the age of six months and she said she will always remember Mirriam “for her unconditional love, positive impact, and being an inspiration at times when I felt like giving up. She would make me sandwiches and sit down and encourage me to keep on studying, to one day be able to earn a living. That has recently become a reality for me, and for as long as I live, I will always be thankful for her motherly love and care.”
Oosterland provides holistic developmental services from cradle to career for the children in its care. The children live in six residential cottages with living-in Child and Youth Care Workers caring for children in a homely environment.
To ensure the children are a part of the local community they attend school, church, sport, and cultural activities in the community, whilst a variety of developmental projects are presented at the centre.
