PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As EBM INTERNATIONAL, we are supporting our partner in South Africa, the Baptist
Convention of South Africa (BCSA) with different tasks. Besides the theological
training and projects dealing with HIV and AIDS that we have been supporting for
many years, Regina Class participates in training leaders since 2013.
With the help of the missionary couple Meyer, the women’s shelter was able to open
up again to give refuge to women and children that have experienced domestic
violence.
Ndawo Yakho is the name of the house and it means place of safety. Here women
have the chance to heal and regain self-confidence in order to live their lives in
dignity and love. For this to happen we need a safe place for abused women and
children where they are not only taken care of but are also offered counseling and
are taught the necessary competence to be part of society again.
In three bedrooms, about 13 women find refuge. There is a shared kitchen and a
shared living room. All women are equally in charge of running the household. During
the week, there are several group offers. The women can stay up to three months in
the house.
This facility is located in Yeoville, close to the center of Johannesburg, not far from
the central of BCSA who also owns that house. Even though Ndawo Yakho is legally
independent and a non-governmental organization, it is supported and influenced by
the women’s department of the BCSA. A few experts from different churches and
areas are forming the honorary board of the project.
It is assumed for the dark figure of domestic abuse in South Africa to be very high
and that 9 out of 10 women at some point in their lives experience violence. There
are supposedly far more than 1000 rapes each day. Places like Ndawo Yakho are
essential for survival for women in South Africa and in an urban context are often the
only chance.
