J’aimeKids is a non profit organization specializing in the emotional needs of children in various institutions involved with the well-being of children. These institutions include hospitals (paediatric wards), safety homes, children’s hospices, etc. Our goal is to bring back childhood joy, fun and laughter to children in difficult circumstances by helping them forget their sore and sorrow. J’aimeKids is a charity initiative that will deliver a designated service, with well0trained volunteers in a non-profitable manner. We visit the various institutions and interact with the children by playing games, singing and dancing, building blocks and puzzles, etc. J’aimeKids was started in March 2007 and was registered as a non profit organization in November 2007. Since the establishment of J’aimeKids God has taken control of the organization. He has shown us where the biggest need is and He has opened up many doors for us.

The overall vision of J’aimeKids is encapsulated in the following statement:

“Changing the World One Child at a Time”

We achieve this through:

Having organizational outreach programs in which emotional and physical support is rendered to safety homes and children’s homes

-          This is the backbone of the J’aimeKids mission and vision. Although we do realize the importance of therapy and education (see our other activities below) the main aim of J’aimeKids is to put a smile on the faces of vulnerable and hurt children. Our organizational outreaches entails basic childhood activities such as visits to the zoo, birthday parties, educational workshops; etc. Most children living in orphanages do not have the privilege of these luxuries and this is where J’aimeKids comes in. The orphanage currently supported by J’aimeKids is called Dorah’s Ark and includes 46 children from 0-18 years old.

Providing Animal Assisted Therapy to abused children: This entails equine assisted therapy with our horses and therapy with our therapy dog

-The importance and value of animal assisted counseling have received renewed attention during the last decade. Our therapy dog, Chelsea has brrn included in mny therapy sessions with vulnerable children and the results were astonishing. Animals reach out to children and make them feel comfortable enough to disclose information Our therapy horses, Nemo and Spirit are both rescue horses. Equine Assisted Therapy

Rendering victim empowerment by supporting children during court cases and preparing them for the court cases in order to prevent secondary trauma

Educating vulnerable communities about child abuse and giving emotional support to the children living in these communities

It has been proven that child abuse is rife in informal settlements due to lack of education and resources. J’aimeKids organize workshops in these communities once a month, handing out pamphlets and specially designed booklets containing the necessary information to assist the fight against child abuse.

Rendering an outreach program with regards to finding shelter and educating street children

With these outreaches we start with the basics by befriending street children, providing them with food parcels and getting to know them. As rapport is developed, the child is persuaded to stay in a street shelter and is enrolled into a good school. Working with street children is not an easy task as it is well-known that street children do not stay in shelters very long before they return to the streets. For this reason, J’aimeKids approaches the situation by addressing the basics such as food and emotional support before moving on to the next step which includes sheltering.

Having “Against Child Abuse”- Campaigns to inform the community about the severity and increase in child abuse to ensure prevention of this.

-These campaigns include physical activities such as walking and cycling against abuse; handing out pamphlets informing the communities about the importance of the recognition and reporting of child abuse.

Favored Grace project

-       – This project is focused on the talents of individual children. Our success stories include a 13 year old receiving a scholarship at a dancing school; our own 10 year old horse rider who received a scholarship at a dancing academy; one of our children has received a bursary from Wits and will be studying Social Work next year; one of our very first little starts are currently studying medicine at the University of Pretoria and with the help of our J’aimeKids tutors, we currently have 4 of our children being Top Ten Achievers in their respective schools.