Sizakuyenza

Sizakuyenza was established in 2005 in Philippi, Cape Town. During that period, HIV was nearing its peak and often misunderstood, especially within intimate relationships. This led to more child-headed households and increased violence against women, girls, and children, with many women accused of bringing the disease into their homes. Families disintegrated, and substance abuse became more common. Women, girls, and children were the most affected.

The organisation responded to the increasing demand for safety among women, girls, and children. This resulted in the creation of three programmes, including the Sizakuyenza Safe House, which offers a refuge for women, girls, and children who have experienced abuse.

The organisation offers the following programmes:

PROGRAMME 1: Victim Empowerment

Project Goal: Women who experienced abuse rebuild their lives, gain independence and do not return to abusive situations.

Project Objectives:

1. 1. To create a supportive community where abused women in Philippi and the surrounding areas can find safety, healing, independence, and empowerment for a period of three months.
   2. Women in the shelter are supported to rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence through enhancing their employability, independence and access to safe housing beyond the shelter.

PROGRAMME 2: Children and Families

Project Goal: Vulnerable families in Philippi and the surrounding areas are supported in (1) grieving and adjusting to bereavement and loss, (2) avoiding negative peer pressure to become involved in crime and fall prey to GBV and (3) to cope with HIV and do not suffer long-term mental health, behavioural and social consequences.

Project Objectives:

1. 1. Children can cope with loss, grief and trauma caused by death.
   2. Teenage girls experiencing peer pressure to join gangs and use substances do not fall victim to GBV or become involved in crime.
   3. Adults exposed to HIV stay on treatment if they are HIV+, abuse substances, and are exposed to Gender Based Violence (GBV).

PROGRAMME 3: Community Outreach and Community Mobilisation

Project Goal: The Philippi community is aware of the risks associated with GBV, knows what services are available and participates in community action to uphold women’s rights.

Project Objectives:

1. 1. The community of Philippi understands the key risks associated with GBV and knows how to access services
   2. Advocate for policy changes, increased resources, and improved services for survivors, as well as challenging harmful social norms that perpetuate GBV

Sizakuyenza has a vision of a peaceful, thriving and prosperous Philippi where people feel and are safe from harm.

Our mission is to create a supportive community where abused women and vulnerable families in Philippi and the surrounding areas can find safety, healing, independence, and empowerment, and rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence through our psychosocial support services and sheltering programmes.