Independent Living Programme

About the Independent Living Programme
Wed, 05/01/2011 - 09:38

In September of 2009,the Adonis Musati Project opened the Musati House, an emergency shelter for the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, including unacommpanied minors, single mothers, and the disabled. The main objective of the shelter was to accommodate and care for these vulnerable individuals until they got back on their feet. The home accommodated around 30 individuals during the span of its operation and all were provided with full board and lodging, counselling, tutoring, medical care, and the services of a social worker. AMP helped adults and youths transition on to independence, whether this meant placing them on training courses to make them more hireable, networking within the community to find them employment, or simply giving them a place of refuge where they could receive the support needed to get on their feet. AMP found sponsors for the school-aged residents so they could continue their primary or secondary educations.

Realising that these school-aged residents would be a longer term commitment, AMP has now placed them on our Independant Living Programme. The main aim of the Independant Living Programme is to facilitate a smooth and beneficial transition for our beneficiaries into life in South Africa. We aim to assist in every way possible to enable them to live an integrated, happy, successful and independent life. The 6 boys who are currently part of the programme have been moved into individual homes with foster parents or mentours, where we are hoping their developmental needs will be met. AMP will continue sponsoring their education costs, food, rent, pocket money and other living expenses.

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AMP youth attend Project Colors workshop
Tue, 20/12/2011 - 12:55

Last month, Tafadzwa and Carmelle, two youth involved with the Adonis Musati Project (one of whom is part of our ILP Programme), went to Wilderness to attend a Project Colors Youth Mentorship Programme. Sunyata Choice is the founder and director of the programme, which is an experiential youth leadership programme that helps participants build CVs, learn new skills, volunteer, and learn how to make a difference in their communities. Over the course of the 10 day workshop, Tafadzwa and Carmelle gained direct community development experience, learning from local women who have started their own community projects. The two were then required to design their own community project, thinking outside the box to come up with new solutions to community issues. Tafadzwa designed his project to help street youth and Carmelle designed hers to assist the asylum seekers and refugees.

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ILP Participant Reflections
Fri, 08/07/2011 - 10:00

Since the restructuring of the Musati House into the Independent Living Programme, we have seen a very positive change in the lives of the ILP participants. Here are some relfections from the youths on the programme.

‘It is actually a great experience. I love our life style...living as guys only and so few. This makes it so easier to understand each other and simply get along. Things have changed slightly as compared to Musati House (Fishhoek). It feels like now I'm more independent and I've got so much responsibility. It's challenging though but I understand that every household has got its downs and ups..I'm digging it big time.’ -Constantine

 

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New Project - Independent Living Program
Tue, 15/03/2011 - 10:05

Musati House was born when AMP found 11 teenage boys living under the Culemborg Bridge.  After various unsuccessful attempts to find suitable accommodation for them, AMP resorted to the mind-blowing action of renting a house in Kommetjie and starting a residential shelter.  Now, a year and a half later, the project has been transformed into a Foster Care and Independent Living Programme run in the southern suburbs from the AMP Observatory office.  Since its opening in September 2009, the shelter has assisted 30 people, consisting of 15 youths, 8 children, 4 women, 2 men, and one small business.

Nine of the youths and the 4 school-aged children returned to school.  This included a 7 year-old disabled boy who is now at a school for the disabled and is a patient at the Red Cross Children's Hospital - the first time he had seen a doctor in his life.

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