A sanctuary for women and children

Sisters Incorporated is a sanctuary run by people who are truly committed to changing lives for the better, so that the cycle of family violence is broken once and for all. The organisation shelters twenty-eight abused women and their children, as well as pregnant single women who are considering giving their babies up for adoption.

On acceptance into the shelter, every woman and child receives a bag of toiletries filled with all the basic necessities. In accordance with the general philosophy of empowering women and teaching them the values of self-respect, anyone in need of urgent medical attention is taken to a private doctor. The women are then given clothing, a warm meal and are then allocated to a bedroom inside the large Victorian house that they get to call home for approximately four months.

Helping to create second chances

The atmosphere within the house is charged with hope, warmth and the possibility of a second chance. During their four months in the main house, all meals are prepared for them and a crèche facility is on hand, to look after the children while the women go out to work, or are taught life skills.

All women residing in the home are offered counselling, as well as classes covering craft and sewing, spiritual upliftment, AIDS awareness, birthing partners, work preparedness and computer literacy. The aim of Sisters Incorporated is to build confidence, self-esteem and improve life-skills, whilst enabling women to find the inner strength to deal with living on their own - supporting themselves and their families.

After four months in the main house, the families who have managed to procure full-time employment are moved to a self-contained house in the garden (space-permitting), where they become responsible for cooking their own meals and running their own household. They are invited to stay here for a period of six months, where they continue to receive counselling. After this period of time, they are encouraged to go it alone.

Break the cycle of domestic violence

Many people’s lives are touched by domestic violence. For those who are brave and strong enough to break the cycle of violence, Sisters Incorporated is an organisation dedicated to empowering women. Sisters Incorporated needs help in various ways, from clothing and linen to volunteers and fundraisers.

Please view their wish list if you are able to help. Please contact 021-797-4190, or e-mail sistersinc@telkomsa.net, if you can help in any way, or if you would like more information.