When you donate to Durban Child & Youth Care Centre, you're not just helping to provide food, clothing, education and everything else a growing child needs.

You’re giving comfort, opportunity and hope for the future. And – above all – the chance to be a child again.

Zama was five years old when her mother got arrested … one of five siblings ranging in age from two to eleven years old. Their grandmother was left with the responsibility of caring for them. But she was old and sickly. Life was a constant struggle, and the children often went to bed with empty stomachs.

After their grandmother passed away, the children were placed at our Home. And that’s when their lives changed for the better.

“For the first time I felt like a child,” Zama says. “I was allowed to dream and believe that nothing in life was impossible. I got the opportunity to attend some of the best schools in KZN … schools I never knew existed. When I wanted to follow my dancing passion, it was with the wholehearted support of the staff, and I ended up being part of the Uyaba dance company.

“Because of DCYCC, I became the first person in my family to complete school. And then I went on to graduate from the University of KZN with bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Art and Media Studies. After that I did my Post graduate certificate in Teaching.

“Today, Zama is the art coordinator for Grapevine Productions which produces some of the biggest television shows in South Africa … a dream come true for that destitute little girl in the township.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the love, support and nurturing she received here.

But this love and support didn’t only come from our dedicated team of child care workers … It came from a wide circle of loving, caring people like you – who provide the crucial financial support that makes our work with children possible.

Your kindness allows children like Zama to be carefree kids again … to giggle with their friends … discover the joy of learning … and know there are adults they can trust to love and encourage them every step of the way.

We work together – you and the team here – to save children from awful circumstances and give them back the power to believe that the world can be an amazing, wonderful place.

So please, will you make your donation right now and touch another child’s life with your kindness and concern?

Since lockdown restrictions eased, we’ve opened our doors and hearts to 4 new children in desperate need of a stable, loving home. Children just like Zama and her siblings all those years ago.

Please will you help them turn their lives around as Zama did … and grow into happy, successful young adults? Thank you and may God bless you for helping a child.

What does the future hold for these little ones? Will one become a doctor? A teacher? A fireman … mechanic … IT specialist … businessman?

Your donation helps them develop to their full potential, whatever that might be!

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 2017, South Africa was home to 19.6 million children under the age of 18
Of these:

million orphans

million dependent
on grants

thousand live in
child only households

0 %

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 counselling, remedial teaching, therapy and other activities designed to encourage them to develop skills, talents and confidence.

our programmes

siyakhula Treatment Centre

our programmes

Siyakhula treatment centre

This is a 12 week residential rehabilitation programme for youth (aged 11-17) who are addicted to substances. They develop new skills and attitudes to enable them to remain drug free.

our programmes

amaqhawe Care 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.

DONATE NOW

Other ways to help

What's happening at our home

News September 9, 2020

Ready for some virtual family fun?

Unfortunately our quiz night has been cancelled. For more information, please contact Nicolette on 031 2011 301 or email nicolette@dch.org.za Grateful thanks also …