Sisters Incorporated is a home of safety for survivors of gender-based violence, including interpersonal or domestic violence, rape and expectant mothers who wish to give their babies up for adoption. The organisation was founded in 1959 in the home of the late Sue Henderson along with Lynette Veldhuizen and others. The objective was to be of aid to young unmarried mothers in an era when there was so much stigma around being pregnant and single. In the words of Lynette Veldhuizen, they ‘realised the need to provide a home where support, counselling and loving care would benefit the many unfortunate members of our society’. It’s 62 years later, and they have most definitely fulfilled that need.

A saving grace
 In the 1980s, Lynette and her team realised that society’s attitude toward unmarried pregnant women was busy changing in that it had become more acceptable. Women also had the option of abortion, and domestic violence became more prominent in communities. As a result, what started out as a safe space for young and single mothers expanded to accommodate victims of abuse and rape. ‘Today we accommodate women and their children regardless of race, nationality or creed,’ says Delene Roberts, manager of the organisation. ‘Many times, I share my personal story with the women coming through our doors as they look at me as this strong independent woman running Sisters Incorporated with an iron fist. They don’t know that I had to fight my way through life after losing my parents while I was only 14 and 18 respectively,’ explains Delene. The organisation has a training centre on site where the women can learn the art of making jewellery, basic computer skills and dressmaking as well as découpage, fabric painting, and putting together dream boards. They also have a full-time child-care facility where the children are cared for by a teacher.

Being the change
It is important to upskill and empower the women; to keep women and their children safe while the perpetrator roams the streets, says Delene. ‘We are committed to providing an empowering and protective environment for women and their children who are abused – physically, emotionally, sexually and psychologically – and are in need of professional support.’ Sisters Incorporated is one of the very few shelters in the Western Cape that provides holistic therapeutic services. Delene explains that the short-term stay at the shelter is a challenge for them. ‘There is no way that the social worker can do what she needs to do within the three-month crisis stay as it is stipulated by the Department of Social Development who subsidises approximately 46% of our funding. We deal with human beings, not numbers,’ she says. Another challenge stipulated by Delene is that many women who leave the shelter don’t have a safe home to return to. Unfortunately, the option is either to go back to their perpetrator, or to go live in a room or a backyard of a family member or friend. ‘What we hope to change is to secure enough funding for an additional house so that we can offer a longer-term stay while women find their feet. As for upskilling for the employment sector, we have big plans, but cannot let the cat out of the bag yet,’ shares Delene.‘If a survivor walks out of here with her head held high, we give God all the credit and the praise. I tell my team, we were called to serve and to be vessels, which can be very hard at times, as we suffer the brunt of being empathetic and kind-hearted.’ 

LOOKING FORWARD

What is your hope for women and children in the future?
To be free of patriarchy, to be equal and to be safe. That men take a stand and say enough is enough. That the president of South Africa keep his word and keeps offenders of crime and violence locked up – no bail, no parole. 

What do you hope to achieve with Sisters Incorporated?
I’m dreaming of the day that we work ourselves out of a job, that there will no longer be a need for a home such as Sisters Incorporated or any shelter as it would mean that we did something right, but right now it seems like an impossible dream. 

What change do you see for women and children in the future who received help from Sisters Incorporated?
The change I see is women who are strong enough and ready to take on the world and their perpetrator. I want the kids that came through our doors to have positive memories of how we impacted and changed their lives. I want them to grow up and become the change that they want to see in the world. 

If there is one message you hope to send to women and children in South Africa, what would it be?
Do not suffer in silence. Reach out! The National Shelter Movement of South Africa hotline is 0800 001 005.

Words by Bianca Muller
Photography: Courtesy Images