Kerr House Hospice

ABOUT US

A place of hope, healing and new beginnings. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We are Kerr House, the Durban Hospice for Women. Kerr House provides a safe haven for abused and destitute women. This shelter for women in crisis was launched in 1951 and is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation under the auspices of the Rectors of St Paul's and Cyprian Anglican parishes.

OUR VISION

The vision of the Hospice is "to provide a temporary and secure homely environment for women in crisis with a view to restore their sense of well-being and self-worth".

Kerr House is a women's refuge which provides shelter to women in crisis. We provide: clean and comfortable accommodation for up to 17 mothers and children, three meals a day, skills training, counselling by resident social workers, therapeutic group work and individual rehabilitation/Care plan.

We work closely together with other service providers including The Department of Social Development, Lifeline, Famsa, Sanca, Child Welfare and others in order to rehabilitate the residents of Kerr House.

SERVICES

We offer a professional support service to women by providing counselling, relief and rehabilitation in partnership with other relevant professional organisations. The Hospice operates 24 hours a day and most women are admitted to the shelter by referrals from welfare, community and religious organisations. Admission of residents is not based on any religious affiliation.

Women in crisis, who are faced with the following issues, will be considered for admission to the Hospice:

• Divorce Violence and abuse
• Rejection and stigmatization by family and community
• Those dealing with a range of life traumas
• Survivors of rape

DURBAN WOMEN'S HOSPICE, KERR HOUSE

Domestic violence has become part of everyday life in South Africa which children are exposed to from birth and grow up believing it is a normal way of life. There are implications related to this exposure which can lead to a life of crime or HIV and AIDS.

Kerr House has developed a program targeted at boys and young men which provides them with an alternative model of behaviour which we hope will give them more positive choices in their relationships with women and thereby saying "no" to crime.

Kerr House offers professional counseling to women who are admitted in attempts to provide relief and rehabilitation. Counselors work closely with these women in hopes of teaching them the necessary life skills that will aid in increasing their self-confidence and self-worth.

Be One in a Thousand

The ever increasing incidences of domestic violence, abuse, rape, human trafficking and women forced through circumstances to become sex workers have placed huge demands on our services. We operate at capacity accommodating 15 women which often incudes mothers and their children.

On admission our full time social worker does an assessment and devises a personal Rehabilitation/Care plan with a view to re-integration to society. Women of all races, religions and walks of life are admitted into the warm, caring and loving environment of Kerr House.

To continue this necessary and essential work we need a data base of 1000 people willing to contribute a minimum of R100 per year.

If you are "One in a Thousand" please support us by either depositing your donation into our bank account:

• The Durban Hospice for Women
• FNB Account No: 50741035022
• Branch Code: 220526

Or post your cheque to: P.O. Box 17065, Congella, 4013.

For direct deposits please quote your surname and 1 of 1000 and email us at saintcyprian@telkomsa.net for an acknowledgement and news-letter.

OUR WISHLIST

ANY DONATIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, THANKS!

The Kerr House ladies and participants have been knitting up a storm lately in order to raise funds. Donations of wool (any colours and varieties) will be welcome and greatly appreciated.

Our needs for LOAD SHEDDING are the following:

• 2 Airpot flasks - large
• 2 large cooler boxes
• A general household tool set
• We need a notice board. Size 1X1.5 m

We are happy to report that NIVIA gave us a donation of care packs. Thank you!

Our Skills development group has been very busy. Next months' update will have pictures of what is taught to the residents that will be available for sale.