October saw the official opening of a new care centre in the Cape Town Jewish community, geared to provide a home away from home for children in vulnerable situations.
Olive Tree House is a daycare centre located on the Herzlia High School campus and is a collaboration between Herzlia and Oranjia.
As Belinda Slavin, the Director of Oranjia, points out: “It’s long been clear to us that we need to provide support measures for children and families who are struggling. Olive Tree House offers a space where stress on a family unit can be reduced, and children can come to the daycare centre and receive meals, academic support and extra-curricular enrichment such as sports activities, outings and holiday care.”
For many years, Oranjia, a communal organisation established in 1911, served as a residential care home for orphans or for children living in vulnerable circumstances. The need for daycare – for children to have a secure place to go to after the school day and before returning to their own homes – became evident a number of years ago, and Oranjia provided for this need but the facility available was not ideal. “Since 2018, creating a dedicated space for the daycare has been a project very close to our hearts, a long-held dream of Antony Leader and Esta Levitas that began many years earlier,” explains Eleanor Miller, the outgoing Chairperson of Oranjia, who was a driving force behind the establishment of the new facility. “We had many obstacles to overcome, including not being able to find suitable premises for this – until now.”
The fulfilment of the dream is Olive Tree House, which has been set up in a house on the Herzlia High School property. “The partnership between Herzlia and Oranjiahas been incredible, and we’re so grateful for the school’s ongoing support and collaboration,” commented Eleanor at the opening event, where she also acknowledged the generosity of the donors whose contributions helped turn the dream into a reality.
Donors include artist Galia Gluckman, who generously gave several pieces of her artwork.
The facility has been in operation for a few months – and positive outcomes are already clear. “Since we opened Olive Tree House, we have grown in the number of children being referred to our centre,” says Amanda Varkel, the new Chair of Oranjia.
In addition, there are clear indications that the impact on the lives of the children has been positive. As Amanda says, “Children have provided positive feedback about their time at the daycare and have commented on how they have had many exciting new experiences with the daycare managers, and children. Teachers at school have reported that many of the children have improved academically and are more engaged in school life.”
Children and families requiring extra support or who may want to find out more information may contact Herzlia’s SEED Department and/or JCS social workers.
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