CJ, Emilio & Bramwell was living on the streets with their mother when they were found by the Gem Project. At that time, they were not attending school although they were of school going age. They were severely neglected and deprived of their basic needs. The Gem Project connected and re-united them with responsible family members whereby with consent from the family they were later admitted as Partial Care Facility residential children at the Gem Project. A process then unfolded to work with their mother, the broader family support unit and the children to ensure that the family unit is strengthened. The Gem Project then had them re-admitted to school and provided them a place of safety and care, offering them physiological, wellness and academic support. In January 2019, they were assessed and due to the improvements in the home and living situation, Bramwell and CJ were transitioned back into their family home. This was based on the children’s desire to return home as well as the improvements in the home situation and living conditions. CJ is progressing well in school and have taken the gem-values he acquired and putting it to practice at home and at school. He is recognised by his teachers and principal as an exemplary learner. The children are therefore an example of residential children that has been transitioned to community-supported learners due to the positive change in behaviour, ability to learn and progress in their overall physical and mental wellbeing. They regularly visit the Gem Project and participate in all our outreach programmes. Emilio, the other brother loves the Gem Project and is still a residential learner attending the Gem Bridging School.
Emilio Snyers entered the Organisation in 2016
