Nehemiah Homes
A Reintegration Home

Preamble:
The homes are to be known as re integration homes and will operate under an umbrella organisation which will be a project within Lotsha. Allowance has been made for 3 different types of Nehemiah homes:-
A Lotsha exclusively owned and managed unit
An “Associated Home” run by a third party/parties but working within the umbrella framework of Lotsha
A “Joint venture” Home, run by third parties but accountable to Lotsha for good governance and management

Having researched similar projects internationally and considered the special needs for a country such as South Africa, with its diversity of people and limited resources, we have now arrived at a stage where we can implement a program and start the first unit.

In our country there is a great need to help men, women & children rebuild there lives after imprisonment. By imprisonment, we refer not only to a physical imprisonment, but include those of Drugs, Alcohol, Extreme Poverty etc. 

To do this we need to plan, and we would like to point you to Nehemiah 2:11-17 and this commentary on those words:
“Nehemiah felt led by the God to rebuild the great walls of Jerusalem. It would have been a noble and emotional project for almost any self-respecting Jewish leader. But Nehemiah demonstrated good leadership by resisting the temptation to charge in and start slapping mortar on stones. First he made a careful survey of the city’s walls, noting what the rebuilding would require. Later he formulated a plan and oversaw the work, financing much of it out of his own pocket. When God calls us to a task, He is calling upon the whole package:  Our abilities, our intelligent planning and our hard work” (from the Touch Point Bible)

It is of no value to create NH’s in the middle city, as we cannot implement some of the functions mentioned later in this “draft” document. Also, based on discussions with rehabilitated men and women, they have expressed the concern that to place them in an urban environment with all its temptations – is just that. A temptation to go back to old ways to obtain the things they want. Also, based on our association with a Christian drug rehab which is a farm just outside a small town, they have a wonderful record of genuine rehab – based on some of the principles included below and the fact that the men & women at the farm, must all pull their weight and share in the daily chores of running the farm, the house and support one other.
Objective:
To develop on a national basis a collection of rehabilitation centers to help with the reintegration of ex-offenders, and those who are suffering back into the community.  The objective will be to continue their rehabilitation process by helping to build self esteem through the teaching of practical skills and ultimately to enable them to be gainfully employed.
Purpose:
Nehemiah Homes will be a place of re-integration back into society, community and even family where required. They will offer residents an opportunity to work productively, share in the running and maintenance of the Home in which they reside, in order to teach skills. The Homes will be run by “Home Parents” whose responsibility it will be to ensure that residents continue to receive Spiritual Guidance, Life skills and be prepared for job interviews and so forth.
Location:
Initially we will endeavor to set up two or three units of variable size and in different areas, so that we can assess the impact and viability of each unit. These initial units must be placed in diverse areas, environments and communities as locality, culture of the nearby community etc. will all play a part in the overall performance of the unit.
Structure and Management:
Accountability will be to the Board of Trustees of Lotsha, but we need to structure the homes to have a management team comprising of 5 people (Recommend: 2 Spiritual members, 2 local community members and if at all possible, a member from the local council – this to get buy-in from the community). Where possible, a Church must also be involved as the Spiritual mentor to the unit. Each unit will need to be run by house parents, being a spiritually committed husband and wife team.

Additional services such as Counseling, Ppsychology, Medical (nurse or sister to visit periodically)  etc must also be made available

Accounting reporting and management structures are to be implemented. These will vary depending on the type of Home created (Owned, Associated or Partnered). All Homes which use Lotsha as a funding source due to our registration as a PBO, will be fully liable  to Lotsha’s reporting structure and financial management rules. (The Lotsha Trust is a Section 18A registered PBO so all donations up to 5% of individuals or companies taxable income is  allowable as a donation tax claim)

The financial structure is to include the cost of house parents, municipal services (rent if applicable) and obviously feeding costs.  Each home is to run its own vegetable gardens in order to feed the guests.

All Centres will be financially managed by Lotsha Ministry Trust as a separate cost centre for management purposes. 

Serious consideration will have to be given as to whether these units will accommodate both men and women (obviously in separate quarters).  While this is generally not desired as it could add to management problems we may find that due to cost and the culture of our country, that this may have to be permitted. (Note: the drug rehab mentioned in the preamble houses both sexes and has confirmed with me that there are no problems)

As mentioned in the preamble these units will be run and managed applying Christian principals.  These house rules need to fit into the pattern of what we stand for but the residents there must not feel that they have moved from one prison to another. Disciplinary procedures must also be set up to assist management.

Guests will be made up from 3 sources:
Persons on parole who do not have an address and for whom government will pay a minimum sponsorship fee.
People placed on diversion sentencing, those who are not considered as a risk to society (white collar theft).
Persons from the local community who are in desperate straights (alcoholics, drug addicts and extreme poverty).

The rules for guests need to be setup and strongly enforced with no leniency and covered by a contract.

Rules:
Dress code.
Moral Activities.
Alcohol on the premises.
All Guests on Complex to do Ukuphula Iketanga (breaking the chains course) a moral spiritual programme.
Curfew hours to be established on an individual basis due to travel needs in the local community.

Especially in the case of guests via DCS, they need to understand violation of house rules could mean instant imprisonment in a correctional facility.  Strong rules will also be required if guests in the same institution are from both sexes as this would require strong responsibility/liability.

Further rules to include those relating to work opportunity, work ethics and participation in the running of the complex.  All guests will be expected to do garden duty, kitchen duty and general property maintenance (this will relate to financial viability of the complex by it being more self sufficient). 

Further decision will be required as regards to who we will allow to live and mentor in these units.  (Who decides who and what rehabilitated means).  Regardless of the final decision on this, there will need to be a selection process and committee to interview applicants.

The time frame for an ex-offender would ideally be 3 months, but no more than 6 months accommodation can be offered, except in exceptional circumstances (still to be defined). All residents will be expected to share in house duties which will include:- 
Cleaning of the premises
Maintenance of the premises (internally and externally)
Cooking and dishwashing/laundry
High emphasis on personal and general hygiene
Responsibility for actions imposed (to be included in house rules)
Wherever possible the unit must have its own gardens as this can mean a:-
Production of own food requirements;
Saving of costs.

All residents will be required to sign a letter of undertaking as regards their responsibilities, and ours, one to the other (we will ask an attorney to draw this up) to ensure that all parties are absolutely clear as to what they can or cannot do during their residency at a Nehemiah Home. This must include the House rules.

Where possible units should have facilities for an onsite workshop for ongoing skills training and if there is not a suitable facility for a chapel we would need to negotiate with a nearby church.

The issue of TV and radio access needs to be thoroughly thought out and in place to be part of the agreement of understanding as content will be monitored by the house parents.

Reporting:
It is vital that the reporting procedures will allow management to monitor and ensure that residents have grown/improved themselves since moving in and also that the unit is financially well run.

To this end a series of standard reports will be designed. Information required could include the following:
No of beds taken vs. number of beds available
Quantity of own production vs. bought groceries
Spiritual programmes being run & attendance thereto
Outreach by residents to the community:-
As workers (being employed on a day or weekly basis)
Meeting the youth at Schools to encourage them on the straight and narrow etc.
If there is a Chapel, running a Bible study or outreach course
Evaluation Forms – comparison on arrival vs. status on leaving
Guest record (file) for each guest

From a management perspective, a monthly meeting between the House Parent/s and Regional Committee or Trustees must take place to review the financial status, raising of funds for ongoing the project etc.
It is envisaged at each NH we will setup a Lotsha Shadow Academy which will be used to train guests with job skills to include, computer and cell repairs, quilt making and other technical skills.

We need to teach skills that create jobs, where those leaving the complex can even setup their own viable informal business, including business management etc.

It may be necessary for financial protection to setup individual bank accounts with each complex.  (Nedbank’s Club account system).

Each complex to have a cheque book with limited signing capacity as they must run independently under the management team.  Management team together with accountant to draw up budgets.

Conclusion:
This report has been prepared to give you an overview of what we have investigated, found to be most likely to work and call for your support. It is by no means the definitive conclusion, but a start.

Having visited systems operating under similar conditions, BUT in a first world environment, I am confident that if we do this correctly, we can lead Africa on a course that will contribute to the successful re-integration of individuals and ensure that they become successful, self esteemed men and women back in society. Tentative chats have been held with government, but they are waiting to see where and how we get on.