Vulindlela Place of Safety is a safe house run by the Amazing Grace Upliftment Centre, an NGO helping children in Westlake Village.
The safe house provides counselling and safe, temporary placement for at-risk children, says the organisation’s founder, Lydia Ingpen, describing it as “a happy place for children who need love”.
The house has a lounge, an eight-seat dining room table, a kitchen, an outdoor patio with a playhouse in front of it, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It has space for six children, including two babies and the safe house mother.
Its opening in May was the realisation of a long-term dream for Ms Ingpen.
“This is something that’s been in my heart for a long time. I came to Westlake nine years ago with the intention of establishing a safe house because I could see there was such a desperate need for kids to have assistance.
“Amazing Grace offers counselling, and we have a permanent social worker that assists us with kids when their families are struggling. However, when kids need a safe environment or need to be removed from the environment that they’re in, due to either drug abuse, neglect, or many other reasons, then there are safe houses like Vulindlela.”
In the case of emergency placement, Vulindlela works with Kirstenhof police station, the Department of Social Development or Cape Town Child Welfare Society.
Sandra Graham, the victim empowerment programme coordinator at Kirstenhof police station, says safe houses such as Vulindlela, are an important resource given the variety of social issues thrown up by the poor socio-economic conditions experienced by so many.
“We all do work, depend and rely on each other, and Vulindlela will play a pivotal role in the continuation of the work we often start. It is a place of safety which assists children and can have a major impact on the developing child providing a safe space and haven of healing, peace and tranquillity away from a traumatised home environment.”
Westlake Primary deputy principal Jodi Dawson said there was invaluable interaction between the school and Amazing Grace Upliftment Centre staff.
“The Westlake community has many vulnerable children who for no fault of their own find themselves in need of love, care and safety. Amazing Grace is a shining light in this community for the vulnerable and needy. Their doors are always open to help and support anybody who needs it. Lydia is always open to assist with any and all sorts of problems we come across, with the focus being the best outcome and interest of the child first.”
