Supporting and guiding

Our Ark committees and volunteers are Noah’s hands and feet on the ground. Each Ark provides a range of services which include, amongst others, home visits, food parcels, child protection interventions, general healthcare services, HIV prevention programmes or interventions, psychosocial supports, etc.

One or more of the services listed are provided by any particular Ark:

Registration of details: The first step is to identify and register orphans and vulnerable children within their communities.

Home visits: Regular home visits are conducted by Noah volunteers. Particular attention is given to children who are unable to visit resource centres.

Clinical nutrition interventions: Children who cannot visit resources centres are provided with nutritional supplements. Sejo is also often provided: A scientifically formulated sorghum cereal specifically formulated for people who are HIV positive.

Food and/or food parcels: Nutritional support is provided at the resource centres and satellite feeding centres through vegetable gardens and food parcels from donations.

Food garden training and set-up: Noah provides support to volunteers and Ark staff to grow their own vegetables, which are used to feed orphans and vulnerable children.

Child protection interventions: Noah helps orphans and vulnerable children to get their identity documents and birth certificates. These are essential for registration for school, access to healthcare and application for social grants.

General healthcare services: The children’s health is monitored by Noah – both at resource centres and during home visits. Those who need medical care are referred at clinics, health centres or partner non-governmental organisations. Ark staff also keep track of children who need ongoing medical support.

HIV prevention education or interventions: These programmes depend on the composition of the orphaned and vulnerable children at the Arks, their ages and their developmental needs. Noah has worked with the Centre of Support for Peer Education and the Soul Buddyz programme.

Psychosocial support: HIV can negatively affect all areas of a child’s life – physically, spiritually and psychologically. Our psychosocial support helps children to deal with such stresses and so help them to live healthier, happier lives.

General educational support: Children are assisted and supervised in completing their homework and, wherever possible, getting access to libraries and computers. Children under 7 years old who attend daycare centres are provided with Early Childhood Development (ECD) activities. Cultural and sporting activities are also offered.

Economic opportunity or economic strengthening: Noah trains staff and volunteers – if they are eligible – in grants and grant applications to the Department of Social Development. A government grant automatically entitles a child to free schooling and health care. Grants are therefore a key part of an integrate poverty alleviation strategy.

Training of providers/care givers: Training and development of staff, volunteers and committee members is essential to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children receive the best care and services possible. Click here to read more about our training programmes.