Teen Mother's Day Party

The Teen Mother’s Day Party  on the 14th of May was a success!  Fifty girls attended the program along with their thirty infant and toddlers. The majority of the girls had no prior contact with Youth for Christ. We went to the clinics of George in eight of the communities to invite them. During the program the children were cared for by volunteers from York High School. For the main program we brought in a band from a local church. Monia (who is on the Options staff) shared her testimony of being a teenage mother and coming into relationship with Jesus. We also had several videos, a group dance, and a Gospel presentation.

After the main program the girls divided into 9 small groups according to their language and community. The volunteer facilitators, from Options and the YFC school's team, led the groups in Xhosa, Afrikaans or English. In the groups they discussed what it was like to be a Teen Mom, and what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. Eighteen girls accepted Jesus for the first time and eight indicated that they wanted more information about beginning a relationship with Him. Twenty-four Bibles were given out to girls who did not have one.
 

We are connecting the girls with the Teen Mom's group and other resources and services at Options such as HIV testing and counseling. After the small groups the girls and their children were served a nice lunch that was provided by local donors.
                                                                                                                  
Options relies on donations so that we can reach our vision and mission.  We appreciate all of our donors! Click here to donate.

A Mother's Story

It was the 21st of April I met a lady from a nearby town. We started to talk and she told me about her work. When I told her that I was working for YFC Options she told me that she had gone to Options for counseling about eight years ago.

She told me that she had been very abortion minded and had received a referral letter to have an abortion but somehow managed to get to Options. She talked with an Options counsellor and decided to parent her baby. After the counseling she went back to the clinic for antenatal care. The nurses there were surprised to hear of her decision because she had been so certain that she would have an abortion.

She introduced me her beautiful eight year old daughter. Her name is Shekinah and she said, “there is my Shekinah-glory.”
~Lisa McKenzie (Nurse)
                                                                                                                  
Options relies on donations so that we can reach our vision and mission.  We appreciate all of our donors! Click here to donate.

DVD Launch

On Thursday 19 May, the Men-of-Options officially launched their testimonial DVD. The need to counsel men and to address men's issues is at the core of this initiative. The DVD, produced by John de Vries, highlights the stories of local men who overcame challenging circumstances in their lives such as drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS, and family abuse.

When the DVD is shown men and boys are given the opportunity to make a commitment to take responsibility. Those who make that decision are given an embossed armband that says "I choose responsibility" to remind them of their commitment. The men are also invited to a monthly braai or dinner. In May and June, 216 men and boys viewed the Men of Options DVD.
                                                                                                                  
Options relies on donations so that we can reach our vision and mission.  We appreciate all of our donors! Click here to donate.

Sexual Integrity Workshop

The Sexual Integrity Workshop provides an opportunity for us to connect with teenage girls in a special way. Learning to understand and value their bodies and sexuality, exploring healthy relationships and marriage, and developing wholeness help give them practical tools to wait for marriage or to become "recycled virgins".

Recently we had two Sexual Integrity Workshops; one of 32 girls and another of 9 girls. One girl commented, "I learned what real love is". Another said, "I'm not the only one ..." One teen mom said her favorite part was about God. Twenty girls who wanted Bibles received one to take home. We are excited about reaching teen girls through this powerful course!
                                                                                                                 

Options relies on donations so that we can reach our vision and mission.  We appreciate all of our donors! Click here to donate.