Please play ‘Secret Santa’ to a child like Mia

 

Sometimes it’s difficult for our kids to stay positive and upbeat. Mia, especially, has been having a hard time lately. She seems depressed and irritable, with no interest in food, school or activities she used to enjoy.

Like most of the children here, she hasn’t had an easy life. She was only 2 years old when her mother died. And she was removed from her father’s care not long afterwards, following allegations of neglect and alcohol abuse.

At the baby home, she was seen by a doctor and diagnosed with TB and HIV. Several years later, she developed glaucoma. By 2022 she was completely blind. Even though she uses a braille machine at school, she has fallen behind her classmates, and often feels frustrated and inadequate.

But, Mia absolutely loves music. Some of her happiest moments are when she sings with the school choir.

We’d love to surprise her on Christmas morning with a gift of headphones, so she can escape into her world of music whenever she needs to.

 

But with 74 boys and girls to ‘surprise’ on Christmas morning, we can’t do it without help. Please will you play Secret Santa, by making a donation of any amount to bring a little joy and excitement into their lives?

Cash donations are best, so we can avoid duplication of gifts and make sure that everyone gets their fair share. Or you may prefer to donate towards a special Christmas meal or a holiday outing to the beach or cinema.

For example:

  • Your gift of R1 000 goes a long way towards a special gift like headphones or a child’s bike.
  • R400 pays for a group of ten kids to go to the movies.
  • R260 buys a pair of pink ‘light up’ shoes for a little girl.
  • R150 buys a 5l tub of ice cream.

Any amount given from the heart helps make the festive season special for children who won’t be going home for the holidays.

And may you find your own joy playing ‘Santa’ to a child who has known abuse, neglect and deprivation in the past. Thank you, and may God bless you.

Durban Child & Youth Care Centre

children deserve to be safe & happy

In a perfect world, every child would grow up in a loving home – with enough food, clothing and opportunities to play and learn.

But it’s not a perfect world.

The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre strives to give children who’ve been orphaned, abandoned, neglected or abused, another chance of a happy childhood. We provide a safe home, all the daily necessities, education and encouragement to help them develop into healthy, well-adjusted kids.

Wherever possible, we work with the family to enable children to return home. Because every child needs a place to belong.

WATCH OUR VIDEO TO FIND OUT MORE

SOUTH AFRICA’S CHILDREN ARE HURTING

In mid 2018, South Africa was home to 19.7 million children under the age of 18
Of these:

million orphans

million dependent on grants

thousand live in
child only households

%

live below
the poverty line

HOW WE HELP

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

RESIDENTIAL CARE

OUR PROGRAMMES

RESIDENTIAL CARE

Up to 60 boys and girls, between the ages of 2-18, live in three units. They attend local schools and receive counseling, remedial teaching, therapy and other activities designed to encourage them to develop skills, talents and confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

AMAQHAWE CENTRE

OUR PROGRAMMES

AMAQHAWE CENTRE

This is a home for 14 children suffering from chronic life threatening illnesses (mainly HIV) and disabilities. We focus on their emotional, spiritual and medical care. Wherever possible, families are encouraged to be involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

OUR PROGRAMMES

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Professional support to other child & youth care centres, the National Association of Child Care Workers, Regional Youth Forum, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

RESIDENTIAL CARE

OUR PROGRAMMES

RESIDENTIAL CARE

Up to 60 boys and girls, between the ages of 2-18, live in three units. They attend local schools and receive counseling, remedial teaching, therapy and other activities designed to encourage them to develop skills, talents and confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

AMAQHAWE CENTRE

OUR PROGRAMMES

AMAQHAWE CENTRE

This is a home for 14 children suffering from chronic life threatening illnesses (mainly HIV) and disabilities. We focus on their emotional, spiritual and medical care. Wherever possible, families are encouraged to be involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PROGRAMMES

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

OUR PROGRAMMES

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Professional support to other child & youth care centres, the National Association of Child Care Workers, Regional Youth Forum, etc.

 

Play your part

Although we receive a government subsidy for each child, this is nowhere near the real cost of caring.
Your donation helps provide food, shelter, education, medical care and the therapeutic programmes
these children need to overcome their unhappy past and develop into confident, happy young people.

 

Make a donation

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Gifts in Kind

We appreciate donations of non-perishable food items, clothing and toiletries. Please contact us for a list of our most pressing needs.

Get a MySchool Card

Choose the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre as the beneficiary of your MySchool card and help raise funds every time you swipe the card.

Volunteer

Helping with homework, mentoring older children and sewing clothes are just some of the ways you can make a difference.

Maintenance

Provide a regular monthly service like removal of garden refuse, or general maintenance like replacing light bulbs and tap washers.

Fundraise for us

Run a marathon and ask your friends to sponsor you … or ask for donations to DCYCC in lieu of birthday or Christmas gifts.

Set up a monthly payment

Even small donations – made regularly every month by debit order or recurring EFT – add up to a whole lot of help.

Leave a bequest

One sentence in your will could make a lasting impact on a child’s life – and costs you nothing right now!

Sponsor a child

Sponsor a child

Contribute towards the cost of caring for one child, with a regular monthly donation towards food, clothing, education and medical bills.

What’s happening at our Home

Message from the Director – Mandy Goble

Message from the Director – Mandy Goble

Did you know that Child and Youth Care Centres are amongst the most highly regulated services in South Africa? The Children’s Act has an entire chapter dedicated to the establishment and operating requirements of registered Centres, along with a very long list of...

Soccer heroes

Soccer heroes

On Thursday, 3 October, our children and staff had the absolute privilege of meeting and interacting with the awesome players from the Orlando Pirates Soccer Team. Thank you Orlando Pirates Football Club, and sponsors Aquellé and Vodacom for treating our children to...

Heritage Day celebrations

Heritage Day celebrations

Our children enjoyed a wonderful Heritage Day programme on 24 September. It was an opportunity to dress up in their traditional wear, taste a variety of cultural dishes and participate in a colourful and diverse programme of song and dance. [gallery link="none"...

Bedtime bliss

Bedtime bliss

Just look at what the incredible donors to our linen appeal have made possible! When the children saw their brand new bed linen all set up, ready and waiting for bedtime, they were so excited. Specially chosen to suit each child's personality and preferences, the...

Ladies High Tea

Ladies High Tea

Our Ladies High Tea was held on Thursday, 26 September in aid of our SAWAS House renovations project – and what a beautiful gathering it was, as you can see from the photographs! Many thanks to Coastlands Hotel Musgrave for their sponsorship of the event. Special...

Ladies High Tea

Ladies High Tea

You're invited to join us for a rejuvinating spring Ladies' High Tea, on 26 September 2024 at Coastlands Musgrave from 10-12 am. You'll be treated to delicious eats and an inspiring talk by Malungi Myende Ndamukundu, guaranteed to leave you feeling renewed and filled...

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