Sinovuyo Caring Families Project
Sinovuyo means “We Have Happiness” in isiXhosa. The Sinovuyo Caring Families Programme is being developed by Clowns Without Borders South Africa and will be implemented by community care workers working with approximately 300 families living in the townships of Cape Town. OSM has been invited to participate in the project and has sent an initial delegation of 75 sock monkeys to support the program. Sock monkeys are used therapeutically in games and exercises and eventually go to live in the homes of participating families.
Child abuse is a major problem in South Africa. Children who are affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty are especially at risk. Sinovuyo is focused on the highest-‐risk families with children ages 3 to 8 years: caregivers affected by HIV/AIDS or domestic violence. The programme aims to help parents and caregivers develop nurturing relationships with their children, prevent and reduce abusive parenting, while coping with stress from HIV/AIDS, poverty, and violence.
Sock Monkeys for this mission were donated by Elaine Helen Myhre of Minnesota, Diana Brugos and friends in Toronto, and Students at Ione Community School in Ione, Oregon ( pictured below).
