Page 104 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

YOUTH
Because I grew up on farms, I experienced how difficult life could be and knew how farm inhabitants and workers were treated. We stayed in one room where we had to do everything- prepare food, eat, bath and sleep. There was no privacy. I saw how my parents would leave for work early in the morning when it was still dark and come home late at night. Alcohol and drug abuse that leads to family violence on farms and in town has become a big problem.
That’s why we as SALDA offer legal advice and case handling five-days a week. We also offer capacity building workshops and create awareness about peoples’ rights. To address the social problems such as the alcohol and drug abuse that leads to family violence, we make use of forum drama to depict the effect of family violence on women and children. Men and women from the community come to watch and get involved in the discussions that take place after the forum drama. We use this method to change their views and attitudes.
To do this work, the office needs funding to serve the community. The office is funded by SCAT, the Department of Labour for workshops surrounding workers’ rights and FHR for family violence and other programmes. SALDA also does fundraising where we get support from our communities and thereby make use of SCAT’s FRIS funding.
What I experienced growing up, often made me think about the future and how we as people can make a difference by helping, supporting and advising others. That’s why I became part of the Advice Office sector. To make a difference in peoples’ lives, to change their circumstances on farms and even in the town and to change the attitudes towards family violence.
The love I have for the work I do will never fade and I will always strive to serve the community and try to change people’s circumstances.
HOE DIE KONSTITUSIE MY GEÏNSPIREER HET
Om mENSE SE LEwENS TE VErANDEr
Ek is Avrill Hein woonagtig in ‘n klein dorpie Graafwater, dit is geleë tussen Clanwilliam en Lambertsbaai in die Weskus. Graafwater is geskik as ‘n aftree plekkie omdat dit gewoonlik baie stil is. Graafwater is ‘n baie trotse dorpie veral die skoonheid daarvan, strate word dikwels gevee en papiere opgetel om die aangesig baie aantreklik te maak van die dorp. As jy in kom in Graafwater vanaf Clanwilliam kry jy eers vir ASLA Kamp soos die mense dit gedoop het en as jy oor die brug gaan kry jy vir Graafwater Suid, links die woonbuurt, en regs Graafwater Noord die dorp.
Ek het groot geword in Kraaifontein, Joostenbergvlakte op ‘n plaas. Daarna het ons gesin verhuis van plaas tot plaas. Die eerste was Ruststasie naby Malmesbury, die laaste De-hoop en later na die buurplaas Smitsvlei. Dit het bedoel dat ek baie plaas skole bygewoon het. Ek het op Graafwater Hoërskool gematriekuleer.
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RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years