Kirby Mcboneswa, a resident at the Haven Night Shelter, completed a security training course.
The Haven Night Shelter partnered with the Arch Angels Initiative Project to provide training for 20 homeless individuals, helping them secure jobs.
Mcboneswa expressed her joy at the achievement and the impact it had on her and her family, marking it as a second chance in life.
“My 13-year-old son told me that he is proud of me, that was the most amazing feeling ever,” so explains Kirby Mcboneswa, a resident at the Haven Night Shelter based in Kraaifontein.
Mcboneswa could hardly contain her excitement after she successfully completed a security training course.
The Haven Night Shelter in Green Point partnered with the Arch Angels Initiative Project to equip their clients with skills to find employment.
The Arch Angels Initiative Project is a humanitarian project that helps people living on the street, obtain the confidence, training, and qualifications required to find employment within the security industry.
On Friday 28 June, Mcboneswa and 19 other people living on the street completed a one-month course in security training, first aid, and self-defense.
The mother of three says she feels a sense of accomplishment.
“It is an amazing feeling because before this I had no confidence in looking for work because I don’t have matric. Even though I have experience in call centre and administration, I don’t have the paperwork to show for it.”
She explains that she moved into the shelter about seven months ago, after living on the street for three months.
Broken backgrounds
Mcboneswa says she cannot wait to earn a salary.
“We all come from broken backgrounds and we’re rock bottom. This programme has given me another chance in life. It has opened up a lot of doorways for us as well. One guy told me that as soon as I get my Psira number I must contact him, then there will be a job for me.”
To her this a “second chance in life”.
“This changed a lot for me. I have three young lives depending on me. My 13-year-old told me that he was proud of me. Hearing this was the most amazing feeling ever.
WATCH | Street Store brightens lives of 500 street people at anniversary event in Green Point
“It has taught me discipline, and not to give up. Because there were many times when I wanted to give up. I don’t have any qualifications behind my name. This is something behind my name now. There is always a need for security officers.”
Shadrick Valayadum, Chief Executive Officer of The Haven Night Shelter Western Cape, said through this initiative 20 people are now off the street and have a chance to renew their circumstances.
According to Valayadum, all the candidates have already been “handpicked” by security companies for employment opportunities.
“The Haven Night Shelter is extremely proud of all our graduates, and I wish them well on the journey. All clients have been handpicked by security companies and are employed.”
Experience
He says through this initiative people gain valuable experience.
“Through this exercise, the Haven Night Shelter is proving that it’s more than just a bed and an opportunity for homeless people to have a good night’s sleep. We are serious about upskilling and bringing them onto our database and equipping them with courses like these so that they can become employable. It gives them a fighting chance in society.”
According to Valayadum, they are hoping to set up computer labs at their shelters to allow clients to create their CV’s.
“There is nothing more humiliating than for you to leave the shelter and then come back. We are at this point now in winter where it gets extremely cold, this course is proof that we have a winning formula to get people off the street, upskilled, and placed in the workplace. We will be doing many other courses like this.”
READ | The Haven Night Shelter expands to accommodate more homeless during winter with 70 new beds
He urged people to seek help at a shelter.
“We want to encourage people to come and join our shelters. We want to encourage communities to send homeless people to our shelter. If we cannot accommodate them at one shelter, we will make sure that we transfer them to another one.
“It’s winter, it’s cold, we need to do everything in our power to ensure that the homeless people are not disadvantaged but given the opportunity to make the best for themselves,” he concludes.
