Programme Description           
The ‘Way Home’ programme is designed to equip staff members with sufficient skills and knowledge to provide three programmes for the shelter children.

Course Content
The staff training programmes include:

• 'Talking to Children’, which trains staff to lead children in ‘Self-Discovery’
• 'Behaviour Management, Discipline and Conflict Resolution’, which prepares staff to teach ‘Non-Violence and Conflict Resolution’
• 'HIV and AIDS and Mobilising...

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Programme Description           
The ‘Way Home’ programme is designed to equip staff members with sufficient skills and knowledge to provide three programmes for the shelter children.

Course Content
The staff training programmes include:

• 'Talking to Children’, which trains staff to lead children in ‘Self-Discovery’
• 'Behaviour Management, Discipline and Conflict Resolution’, which prepares staff to teach ‘Non-Violence and Conflict Resolution’
• 'HIV and AIDS and Mobilising Support’, which prepares staff to lead children in ‘Keeping Safe’

It should be noted that their may be a requirement for further staff development and this can be discussed and implemented on a shelter basis.

Learning Outcomes

• Increased understanding of shelter children’s needs and how to assist them
  Readiness to present the three programmes with an interactive teaching style
• Improved communication between staff and children, which fosters relationships, facilitates understanding, and contributes to children’s long term stability.

Target Audience
Street children’s shelter staff

Programme Delivery
Each of the three programmes involves a 2-day training session, after which participants are expected to deliver the programmes to the children in the shelter. Ongoing feedback and mentorship are provided.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Staff will be required to undergo an assessment upon completion of the programme to ensure they have sufficient knowledge and skill to transfer information to the children at the shelter. This will include a knowledge questionnaire and a practical facilitated assessment.
• Follow up support sessions will be help with staff members once a month to ensure debriefing takes place and staff are given an opportunity to get advice on challenges they may be experiencing with the programme.
• A children’s forum will be held at regular intervals (depending on length of contract) to ensure the programme content and delivery of the programme is meeting the needs of the children.   

Case Study
“I was 35 and had just begun volunteering at a shelter in Pretoria for children living on the streets”, says Portia Khumalo. “I felt totally unskilled, even though I knew my heart was in the right place. It was hard to know what I could do and say to teach the children how to keep themselves safe from HIV/AIDS, how to handle conflict and how to develop some basic forms of discipline. Once I got some training from the Khulisa staff, through the ‘Way Home’ programme, I was equipped to develop good relationships with the children and I earned their respect and trust. I know that what I do now helps to develop some stability in their lives and gives them a chance to build their capacity for life off the streets one day.”