Social and Mental Health Care Internship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Luvuyo

Vacancy number: [PE201106]

Project focus: Luvuyo Special Day Care Centre improves opportunities for skills development of 29 children and youth with severe to profound intellectual /multiple disability and their families through programs promoting optimal levels of independence and self sufficiency. 

Period: From 3 months, with a maximum of 6 months, between September and December 2011. 

Location:  Somerset East, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Study background:  Physiotherapy, social studies. If your study is not mentioned here, give us a call and we will discuss the possibilities.  

Project information – Luvuyo Special Day Care Centre

 

Luvuyo Special Day Care Centre is a project run under the auspices of Port Elizabeth Mental Health, a Non Governmental Organization, which has served the community and people of Port Elizabeth since 1939 and has been at the fore front in the establishment of services for persons with mental disabilities and their families ever since. Port Elizabeth Mental Health Society strives to be a dynamic movement that serves as an effective resource to empower people to attain optimal mental wellbeing and quality of life in a just society.

 

 

We work actively with the community to achieve the highest level of mental health for all by:

  •  Enabling people to participate in identifying community mental health needs andresponding appropriately
  •  Developing equal, caring services for people having difficulty coping with everyday life, and those with mental illness and mental handicap
  •  Creating public awareness of mental health issues and striving for recognition and protection of mental health rights

 

 

Luvuyo first came into being after a group of volunteers in the community recognized the plight of children with disabilities. With no such service available in this area it was deemed an essential need.

 

The Centre initially operated from a house in Paulette Street, Somerset East. The need soon arose for larger premises in order to accommodate children with special needs. Department of Education provided us with two classrooms and one kitchen from which to operate and we soon moved to the current premises enabling it to be more accessible to the community it serves.

 

 We aim to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and that of their families, to ensure that they are able to live more independently and satisfactorily in the community. 

Activities at the project

 

  •  Day Care and stimulation, training in self-care activities, basic literacy, numeracy and life skills
  •  Toy library service with educational toys to stimulate children’s development
  •  Home Based Care and training programme for persons with disabilities, including those identified families of the Centre children which are infected/affected by HIV and AIDS
  •  Awareness, educational and supportive programmes to the families involved and the broader community
  •  Lobbying and advocacy for the needs and rights of persons with disabilities 

 

What we offer

Competencies you will learn:

  • Experience in working in a specialized field of expertise
  • Facilitating a stimulation programme for children with disabilities
  • Public speaking
  • Marketing and awareness
  • Teamwork
  • Networking with other stakeholders
  •  The ability to multi-task

 Guidance during your internship: 

 

  • Training to prepare you for your internship and living in South-Africa
  • Two-week orientation programme
  •  Weekly consultation sessions with the Senior Facilitator
  • Monthly team meetings
  •  Monthly supervision / feedback session with Programme Manager
  • Professional, dynamic and friendly environment

At the project, you will be guided by Dutch Be More regional co-ordinator who holds a Bachelor's Degree. She will support you when you have any questions or face difficulties during your assignment.  

 

What we ask

 

On our website you'll find the general conditions for our vacancies. Specific for this vacancy we are looking for someone with the following characteristics and skills:

 

  • Patience and humility in working with children with multiple disabilities
  • Initiative and creativity 
  • Flexibility
  • Keen interest in wanting to make a sustainable difference at the project
  • Teamwork
  • Openness and adaptability towards different cultures
  • Enthusiasm
  • Guidance in implementation of diverse skills and knowledge base
  • Assisting team with fundraising initiatives
  • Ability to communicate in English

 

 

 

Accommodation and transport

Because we are a non-governmental organization and the fact that the project is situated away from the Head Office in Port Elizabeth, no office vehicles are available at the project. Our team makes use of public transport of which the projects budget for, and will also apply to you. Airport pick-ups and drop-off will be arranged by the project. 

 

 

Somerset East hosts a variety of B&B’s and self-catering hostels. The Bellevue Hostel provides self-catering rooms for R1200.00per month per person. Transport will be arranged daily to the centre and back at a cost of R500per month per person.

 

Costs

The housing costs for this internship are included. Next to the project costs there is a Be More fee. This fee covers the guidance and arrangements for your internship. The Be More fee is €215,- per month during the first 3 months and €100,- for every extra month after this period.

 

Meer informatie

 

 

 

 

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Volgende informatiedag: Donderdag 24 mei 2012 vanaf 18:00. Locatie: Seats2Meet. Kom langs