Latest news with #Oliphant
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
I thought I was lonely—then I met ‘Eleanor Oliphant'
'I have always taken great pride in managing my life alone. I am a sole survivor. I am Eleanor Oliphant. I don't need anyone else.' — Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman In a world that encourages being social, abhorring company is often mistaken for failure. Making plans every week off, staying active on social media, to keep on moving, the need to be seen is maddening. Loneliness, in contrast, is framed as something to be cured of, fixed, or hidden. But what if one viewed loneliness not as a void, but as a space, one with purpose? Opening Honeyman's much-talked-about 325-word novella. I was rooting for a character yearning for connection, someone who finds ways to escape her isolation. Instead, the book helped me own my being alone, not just single, mind you, just like Eleanor. She was not using her sadness as a performance but constructed a life of routine—frozen pizza, vodka on weekends, crossword puzzles—all framed around the quiet of solitude. And while that solitude stemmed from trauma, it was not wholly tragic. It was peaceful. That idea made me question the concept of loneliness. Could it be something other than a crisis? As a woman in her late 20s, I have experienced both kinds of solitude, the heavy kind, yes. But also the kind that gave me clarity, offering calm. I come home to no one, also because I live alone or do not have someone to go out for coffee in the evening, at least not all the time. I make my coffee, sit on the sofa, and scroll through my Instagram until I finish my iced latte. Mornings spent alone are not lonely but therapeutic. At times when my life feels chaotic, I actively retreat. Not out of fear, but by choice. I want to hear my thoughts without disruption because I need to remember what I want, outside of what I am to other people. 'When the silence and the loneliness press down hard, they are crowding me in,' muses Oliphant. I have felt the pressure Eleanor speaks of. But over time, I have also seen that loneliness can act as a mirror. When there is no one to perform for, no conversation to fill the air, what remains is you. And though that can be scary, it is also honest. For me, it was in that space that I stopped defaulting to 'I'm fine.' In the quiet, I had to actually check in with myself. Not just function, but feel. Eleanor, despite her pain, is not desperate to be rescued. She does not romanticise companionship. When connection enters her life in the form of Raymond, who is kind, sometimes awkward, and mostly decent, it does not save her. It complements her and she simultaneously remains her own anchor. 'You can't have too much dog in your life.' This quirky one-liner may be about Glen the rescue dog, but it reflects something deeper. Oliphant learns that connection can be gentle, non-intrusive, and even quietly joyful. But crucially, she doesn't abandon her solitude. Instead, she creates space for both: the richness of being alone and the need to be known. That duality changed my perception of life. Loneliness, I have come to believe, is not something to run from. It is a landscape to explore. Yes, it can ache at times. But it can also heal. It is where boundaries are drawn, priorities clarified, and inner voices heard. Of course, not everyone can crack this. In an era addicted to distraction, choosing loneliness can look stupid, like a sign of depression or failure. But for me, it has become a quiet strength. It allows connection to be a choice, not a crutch. And when I do let people in, I do so when the chords strike and not out of hunger. 'These days, loneliness is the new cancer—a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way.' Oliphant remarks. Honeyman critiques that shame, and rightly so. But she also offers a simple narrative that loneliness isn't a defect to be diagnosed, but a place where people can rebuild. I am still learning how to live at the intersection of loneliness and connection. Some days, I crave company. Other days, I crave the quiet. But, I no longer conflate loneliness with lack. Sometimes, it simply means that this moment is mine. And that, I have realised, is not just fine. It is necessary. (As I See It is a space for bookish reflection, part personal essay and part love letter to the written word.) Shruti Kaushal is a social media sieve and catches'em trends before they grow big, especially cinema. She has been a journalist for 4 years and covers trends, art and culture, and entertainment. ... Read More
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Process of child fostering unpacked
IN essence, foster care is a critical societal intervention that provides children in need with the opportunity to thrive, heal, and build a brighter future. Issues affecting children may include high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/Aids. Children younger than 18 years are eligible for foster care, while foster care individuals should be older than 18 years. The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre believes that family reunification is a significant part of their fostering programme. 'Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong,' the centre shared. The Department of Social Development reported that as of the end of March 2024, there were 306 683 children in foster placement receiving foster child grants. Also read: Challenges facing SA foster care system The department's Lumka Oliphant explained, 'Foster care is a court-ordered care of a child that needs care and protection, placing the child in a cluster foster care scheme or with a suitable person other than a biological parent or a guardian. As part of foster care, the Children's Act introduced the concept of cluster foster care placement, which is aimed at maximising the available resources.' Prospective foster parents and homes need to apply to the Department of Social Development or an accredited child protection organisation for permission to foster the child. Once the court order has been issued, you can apply for a foster child grant. Oliphant adds, 'You can only foster a child for the period indicated in the court order. Once the indicated period of the court order has lapsed, the presiding officer may, after reviewing the recommendation from the social worker, extend the period of the court order.' Also read: Are you able to become an animal foster parent? Steps to follow: 1. Apply to your nearest Department of Social Development office or an accredited child protection organisation to foster a child. 2. You will be referred to a social worker who will conduct an investigation. 3. The social worker will assess you and the child. 4. Submit the following: • an affidavit stating that the child is abandoned (if applicable) • death certificates of the parents (if applicable) • Birth certificate of the child. If the child does not have a birth certificate, the social worker will assist you in obtaining the birth certificate • Your identity document. 5. The biological parents must be involved in the process. 6. If you do not know where the biological parents are, the social worker will assist you in placing an advertisement in newspapers for one month, calling on them to come forward. 7. If the biological parents do not come forward, the process will proceed. 8. The child must be involved in the entire process. 9. The social worker will compile a report and present it to the Children's Court with recommendations. 10. Based on the social worker's report, the presiding officer at the court may find the child to be in need of care and protection. 11. The presiding officer will issue a court order approving the placement of the child with the foster parent. The court order will show the names of the foster parent, the foster child and the duration of the foster placement. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Child fostering process explained
IN essence, foster care is a critical societal intervention that provides children in need with the opportunity to thrive, heal, and build a brighter future. Issues affecting children may include high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/Aids. Children younger than 18 years are eligible for foster care, while foster care individuals should be older than 18 years. The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre believes that family reunification is a significant part of their fostering programme. 'Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong,' the centre shared. The Department of Social Development reported that as of the end of March 2024, there were 306 683 children in foster placement receiving foster child grants. Also read: Challenges facing SA foster care system The department's Lumka Oliphant explained, 'Foster care is a court-ordered care of a child that needs care and protection, placing the child in a cluster foster care scheme or with a suitable person other than a biological parent or a guardian. As part of foster care, the Children's Act introduced the concept of cluster foster care placement, which is aimed at maximising the available resources.' Prospective foster parents and homes need to apply to the Department of Social Development or an accredited child protection organisation for permission to foster the child. Once the court order has been issued, you can apply for a foster child grant. Oliphant adds, 'You can only foster a child for the period indicated in the court order. Once the indicated period of the court order has lapsed, the presiding officer may, after reviewing the recommendation from the social worker, extend the period of the court order.' Also read: Are you able to become an animal foster parent? Steps to follow: 1. Apply to your nearest Department of Social Development office or an accredited child protection organisation to foster a child. 2. You will be referred to a social worker who will conduct an investigation. 3. The social worker will assess you and the child. 4. Submit the following: • an affidavit stating that the child is abandoned (if applicable) • death certificates of the parents (if applicable) • Birth certificate of the child. If the child does not have a birth certificate, the social worker will assist you in obtaining the birth certificate • Your identity document. 5. The biological parents must be involved in the process. 6. If you do not know where the biological parents are, the social worker will assist you in placing an advertisement in newspapers for one month, calling on them to come forward. 7. If the biological parents do not come forward, the process will proceed. 8. The child must be involved in the entire process. 9. The social worker will compile a report and present it to the Children's Court with recommendations. 10. Based on the social worker's report, the presiding officer at the court may find the child to be in need of care and protection. 11. The presiding officer will issue a court order approving the placement of the child with the foster parent. The court order will show the names of the foster parent, the foster child and the duration of the foster placement. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lima man sentenced to 39 years to life for murder
May 19—LIMA — A Lima man convicted of murder in the Feb. 15, 2023, shooting death of Kirk Perine was sentenced Monday to 36 years to life behind bars. An Allen County jury found Michael Oliphant guilty in Perine's death in April. The 59-year-old Perine was found by police inside a white Buick in the 100 block of North Rosedale Avenue on Feb. 15, 2023. He had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal bullet had been fired from outside the vehicle and passed through the front passenger-side window, investigators said. Oliphant, 23, of Lima, was also charged with felonious assault for firing a weapon in the direction of two employees of Feltz Chiropractic shortly before shooting Perine. A Beretta 9mm pistol used in both shootings was found by police in an alley behind 211 N. Kenilworth Ave., near the murder scene, and was sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for analysis. A forensic scientist from that agency testified that DNA matching Oliphant's was found on the weapon. Oliphant had purchased the handgun earlier in the day at the former R-P Home & Harvest Store on Cable Road. Relatives and friends of Perine spoke prior to sentencing and asked Judge Terri Kohlrieser to impose a harsh sentence. "You are a monster," said Michelle Morrisey, a friend of Perine's, to Oliphant. "You took away a good man." Jeff Perine said he and his brother were close, having visited many Major League ballparks. He, too, addressed Oliphant. "I am going to enjoy every minute of my freedom, knowing that you're stuck in a prison cell," he said. Lilliana Perine, the victim's widow, delivered an emotional statement in Spanish. An English version was then read to the court. It said, in part, that her husband was a "noble and hard-working person" while his killer was "an evil person." Speaking to the judge, the woman asked that Oliphant "not go free." Oliphant addressed the court briefly and apologized "to the families I hurt." He said at the time of the shooting, he had stopped taking prescription medicines intended to address mental issues he was experiencing. "It's my fault, but I stopped taking my meds because I was paranoid; I though doctors were poisoning my medications," Oliphant said. "I feel horrible for what I did. I deserve life (in prison). I take full responsibility for my actions." Kohlrieser said it was clear to her that Oliphant did indeed suffer from a psychological disorder. "There are some grounds to mitigate his conduct ... but not enough," she said. Featured Local Savings
The South African
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Celebrating International Day for Families
15 May 2025 is recognised globally as International Day for Families. The Minister of the Department of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, is in Cape Town to commemorate the day. She is expected to also promote Child Protection Month, which falls in May. Spokesperson for DSD, Lumka Oliphant, said the program today aims to bring a focus on the importance of families. She stressed that families serve as the first line of defence in the protection of children. Oliphant said, 'Child protection is a shared responsibility. Parents, caregivers and the entire community play an important role and can contribute to creating a safe environment for children'. Minister Tolashe is also expected to launch the Revised White Paper on Families and the Families Matter Programme, which highlights the care and protection of children. The first White Paper was introduced in June 2013, after DSD realised that there was a dire need to promote the strengthening of families in South Africa. It was also proposed to provide support to existing families. Oliphant said this year's commemoration seeks to highlight the importance of supporting and strengthening families. DSD has centered the day around the theme, 'Family-oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025'. 'The UN Convention on Rights of the Child clearly states the role of the family towards child protection and it further mandates government to step in, if families are unable to do so', said Oliphant. 'Current family-centered interventions such as positive parenting, family matter, and the social assistance programmes seek to ensure that families have the necessary resources and support that protect children and strengthen families', Oliphant continued. UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M'jid, is currently in South Africa. Her visit coincides with Child Protection Month. Dr M'jid is here to monitor progress on South Africa's programs to end violence against children. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
