Response to COVID-19 Threat

The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre has implemented urgent and drastic measures to protect the children in our care, and the employees who provide them with 24 hour care.

We're facing a crisis in child care

Dwindling subsidies, as government resources are channelled into managing the Covid-19 pandemic and other priorities, have left organisations like ours without sufficient means to operate as we should.

Many companies and individuals who supported us in the past are now struggling to stay afloat themselves, and can’t help us anymore.

As a result, one of our most important services, the Siyakhula Rehabilitation Centre, has already been forced to close down.

For the past 20 years, this has been the only in-patient treatment response offered by a child and youth care centre in the country. It was a vital strand in the safety net that protects South Africa’s most vulnerable children and youth … those who turn to substance abuse to make the misery of their lives bearable … and it worked!

Now it’s gone. And I’m deeply worried.

I’m afraid that, despite the dedication of my wonderful team of child care workers – and my own wholehearted commitment to providing the best possible love and care for children in need – we won’t be able to carry on if subsidies from the Department of Social Development aren’t increased, or at the very least maintained. Further cuts would be disastrous.

Right now, we are responsible for 60 children at our Home. A further 14 little ones with chronic, life-threatening illness or profound disabilities live in our Amaqhawe Care Centre. HIV infection is the main cause of illness and children must adhere to ARV medication regimes, in conjunction with the best possible nutrition, in order to survive. What will happen to these little ones if we can’t be here for them?

Please – if you are in a position to help – will you make a donation now towards the ongoing care of our children?

These little ones have already suffered so much in their short lives.

Many have known hunger … fear … physical and mental abuse. Some never had the chance to go to school before they came to us. Others had never owned a toy or a new pair of shoes. It’s heartbreaking when you think what they have gone through. Childhood isn’t supposed to be like this. It’s supposed to be a carefree and magical time of exploring the world, learning, laughter, security and love.

Now, only our team … and YOU … can give these boys and girls back their childhood.

Please help us continue to provide a loving, stable home for these children. Even if you can spare only R50 or R100, it will make a difference. And if you have more to give, you will make a life changing investment in a child’s life and future.

Thank you and may God bless you.

Mandy Goble
Director: Durban Child & Youth Care Centre

Our children know what it’s like to feel afraid.

They’ve already experienced far too much fear, hunger, harm, neglect and deprivation in their short lives.

Please help us heal the hurt and put the pieces back together by making your ‘investment’ in a child’s future now.

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

After more than 20 years of providing an in-patient treatment response to children addicted to substances, the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre has had no option but to close the Siyakhula Rehabilitation Centre.

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