Umthombo has seen a rise in young women living on the streets due to domestic violence and poverty. Many of these women, with limited options, are often forced into sex work or become dependent on drugs and exploitative relationships.
Umthombo’s outreach workers visit the streets to build trust and offer a pathway to recovery, starting with detox and extending to a comprehensive programme aimed at helping them reclaim their independence.
Umthombo offers a two-week detox programme in a serene game reserve, providing a peaceful environment away from the streets.
This includes a seven-day medical detox followed by a natural detox process, helping women take the first steps toward overcoming substance dependency. This unique setting offers them the opportunity to reflect and reset, setting the stage for their journey to recovery.
Umthombo offers a pathway to recovery
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After completing detox, women are invited to join Umthombo’s Independent Living Programme, which provides six months of supported accommodation. During this time, women receive vital life skills training to help them live independently and safely care for their children. The programme includes support for securing identification documents, education, and preparation for employment.
“Umthombo helped me a lot. Now, my life has changed. I no longer use drugs, and I live in a proper place. I’ve been provided with food, and they have paid for my room. They also helped me get an identity document, and I am on a waiting list to be enrolled in the Work Readiness Programme.” A participant in the Umthombo Independent Living Programme
Through these efforts, Umthombo enables young women to break free from exploitation and dependency, reclaim their independence, rebuild their lives and create a stable future for themselves and their children.
Amos Trust is supporting Umthombo’s work with young women living on the streets of Durban. This includes a detox programme in a peaceful environment to help women overcome substance dependency and their Independent Living Programme, which provides accommodation, life skills training, and support to help them rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Photography: Simphiwe Mdunge and Alison Sloane
Take a look through our range of resources, including blog posts, downloads and products, to find out more about our Street Justice work.
“Mwanamke Mwenye — Superwoman”, said the 18-year-old holding her young baby; the rest of us replied, “Superwoman — Mwanamke Mwenye.” Chris Rose writes about his recent visit to Amos partner Cheka Sana Tanzania and an update from their StreetBorn programme, working with young women on the streets of Mwanza.
“Umthombo helped me a lot. Now, my life has changed. I no longer use drugs and I live in a proper place. I’ve been provided with food and they have paid for my room.” This month, we share three stories of hope from young women who are benefiting from Umthombo’s Independent Living Programme in Durban, South Africa.
“At first, I feared a lot when I was told I have HIV. But when I attended a meeting, I realised I was not alone; I gained the courage to go on, take my drugs, and I gave birth to an HIV-negative baby. Thank you, Cheka Sana, for bringing back my smile, happiness, and peace of mind.” Katie Hagley writes about how Cheka Sana in Tanzania are bringing hope to young mothers and at-risk women on the streets of Mwanza.
This month, Amos team member Meg Williams shares news from our partner Karunalaya, who has advocated for the rights of children and families living on the streets of Chennai, India since 1995. Read on for updates on some of the Street Child Cricket World Cup team members and some excellent news about Karunalaya’s girls shelter.
“Looking around at this moment, the way women and girls’ rights are being rolled back around the world can feel overwhelming, like a tidal wave.” In light of continuing violence and rights violations worldwide, Amos’ Karin Joseph asks, where can we find hope in the fight for gender justice?"
Thank you to those that attended Amos Day 2022 in London or watched the live stream. For those that missed it, here’s the day on catch-up when we were joined by Dieudonne Nahimana, founder of New Generation Burundi, Hamed from Hebron International Resources Network, and Ahmed Alnaouq from We Are Not Numbers in Gaza. Watch again now.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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