Family Strengthening Project

Kids Haven implemented a multi-faceted approach centered on three specialised parenting programmes: the one-day “3 L’s” (Listening, Loving, Leading), the 14-week “Sihleng’Imizi” for families with young children, and the 10-week “Connect” programme for pare nts of teenagers. These programmes were supplemented by capacity-building workshops for teenagers on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), children’s rights, and sexual health. The initiative focused on replacing punitive discipline with communicative parenting and addressing intergenerational trauma within informal settlements such as eMandleni and Marikana. 567 direct beneficiaries, including 455 adults and 112 children/teenagers were reached through the project. The project included a unique Writing Project extension where parents documented their life stories to facilitate healing and showcase community resilience. This culminated in the publication of a book entitled: “Through the Storms: Stories of our resilience” in late 2025. The project also collaborated with the University of Johannesburg to contextualise international parenting materials for South African families.
The project demonstrated exceptional inclusivity, notably integrating a transgender parent into community groups. Success was further evidenced by behavioural shifts in participating families, with many reporting no longer resorting to violent punishment and the start of micro-businesses by empowered mothers.