The Stephen Green Child Care Center The farming operation and how it supports and complements the Mission Station and Child Care Center. Where it comes to Children – We Care Care until Independence

Child Care Units - Farming Activities Child Care Units Place of Safety Infant Care Unit Unmarried Teenage Mothers Unit Emergency Homes Missionary Chapel Bunkhouse Dairy Section (Milk, Butter & Dairy Products) Calves & Beef (Meat) Pigs (Meat – Pork) Sheep (Meat – Mutton) Poultry (Eggs & Chicken) Vegetables Feed (Maize & Cereal) Cash Crops (Berries) Map

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The Benefits of the Farming Operation TRAINING for both Children and Adults Provision of FOOD for the entire Center Provides a HEALTHY environment INTERACTION of the Children with animals Supplement the INCOME of the Center OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY for youngsters Click on the boxes for more details! Map

The Benefits of a Rural Environment 47 Years of experience have proved time and again the therapeutic value of the natural environment in providing healing of troubled young minds. Other Advantages Safety. Children experience and relate to God in a natural environment. Healthy atmosphere, physical and Spiritual. Freedom from restrictions. Healthy, outdoor play area. Provides a secure environment for the children to heal. Create a close micro- community. Map

Thank you Lord for all Your Blessings

Thank you for caring about my brothers and sisters God Bless You!

Thank you for your interest in our Child Care Project For more information, or to become part of our team PLEASE CONTACT US The Stephen Green Foundation P.O. Box 127 Hoekwil 6538 South Africa Phone (044) Fax (044)

The Provision of Food from the Farming Activities 1.A small dairy herd will provide milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products. Skim milk could be used to supplement the feed for the Pigs. 2.Pigs, sheep, beef calves and poultry would provide meat for the Center. 3.Eggs will be provided from the poultry section. 4.A regular supply of fresh vegetables will be provided by planned planting. 5.Excess and waste vegetable trimmings will supplement the pigs feed. 6.A fruit orchard could produce fruit within +/- 3 – 4 years.

Training on the farm The training value of ‘farm life’ is of inestimable value to both children and adults alike. The children and young people of the Center will be encouraged to participate in all the activities on the farm. They will learn about agriculture, care of farm animals as well as many other interesting skills related to work on the farm. The young boys involved in the workshops will learn, and assist with, the practical maintenance of vehicles, machinery and implements on the farm. This includes mechanical, engineering and blacksmith work. Young girls will learn milking, dairy processing, food preservation and other farming skills. They will learn responsibility, helpfulness, the love of nature and many other life skills, all in a wonderful, natural ‘classroom’.

Interaction with Animals It does not take a very vivid imagination to picture the very special relationships that children build with farm animals. By being involved with them, the children develop a love for, and appreciation of animals. They become close to them, and even the roughest, toughest kids often melt, and will happily share many hours caring for, talking to, or simply being with their favorite animal. The therapeutic value of animals as a healing aid has been proved in many different aspects of caring for children with troubled minds.

Supplementary Income from Farming Planting berries (Loganberries, Youngberries, Strawberries and Boysenberries) for the generation of a cash crop could form an important source of supplementary income for the Center. The workshops and other craft activities would also be a source of income, for the children, families and Center alike. Excess vegetables could also be sold to provide an income when good crops are reaped.

A Healthy Environment on the Farm When one looks at the problems of today’s ‘Media Kids’ and the onslaught of false values that bombard their young formative minds, we need a healthy alternative for our children. What better than healthy outdoor activities and sports in a rural, natural environment to help them grow and heal, while learning and forming true Christian values and moral standards. The atmosphere provided on the farm will help to build physically and spiritually healthy young men and women.

Occupational Therapy When working with young children that come to us with all sorts of hurts, needs and ‘baggage’, one of the key aspects of our tender, loving care is keeping them occupied in healthy activities whilst building and developing skills and confidence. The facilities and amenities on the farm will provide an ideal environment to achieve this. It is envisaged that we would provide and encourage activities involving the arts and crafts, music, gymnastics, drama, dancing as well as a number of indoor and outdoor sporting activities. All of this over and above those that God provides for us on the farm itself!