Due to the diverse change of needs in the surrounding communities, The House of Shalom needed to be quite adaptable. There has recently been a high intake of abandoned babies at the home. The babies have been tested and unfortunately most are HIV positive. Currently, Ikhayalethu Children’s Home and the Siyabonga Shelter houses 36 children. The ages range from new born to 15 years old.

The case studies reveal to us that most of these children come from harsh and painful backgrounds. They are victims of abuse, rape, poverty, neglect, abandonment etc.

•  In the month of April 2004 our staff attended a training course on Behavior Management provided by the National Association of Child & Youth Care Workers (NACCW). Future courses such as this are planned for the rest of the year. We believe that these skills will be effectively utilized at the Children’s Home.
   

• On the 17th, 18th and 19th August 2004, our staff  attended a training course on Higher Qualification in Child Care (HQCC) as well as a conference on Restorative Justice
   

• The goal of this training was to expose participants to the philosophy and practice of restorative justice with particular reference to the tool of restorative conferencing.  The training courses were held at St Anthony”s Children’s Home in Blauwbosch, Newcastle.
   

• Our Annual General Meeting was held on the 10^th of November 2004.  The guest speaker for the afternoon was Mr. Bongani Mqaise from BAC (Business Against Crime).  Mr Mqaise also serves as the Co-Operate Investment Manager at Billiton.  Representatives from the various organizations and Industries we network with were present at this function.