Even though Maria is safe and well cared for now at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre, it’s as if everything she’s gone through so far in her short life has left her completely defeated and without hope.
At school, she’s been classified as a ‘slow learner’. She can’t even count to ten. And she doesn’t want to.
While most children are keen and eager to learn, soaking up information and proud to show you how clever they are, Maria has ‘switched off’. She shows no interest in schoolwork, doesn’t listen to her teacher and won’t do homework. We’ve had to seek expert advice from the Sherwood Children’s Assessment Centre.
Because, somehow we have to find a way to reach the lost and lonely child within. To help her overcome the trauma of suffering severe neglect and sexual abuse in the past. We have to find that small spark of hope within her … and show her that life can be beautiful.
It’s going to take time. And money to pay for expert cognitive assessments and remedial lessons. But in the nine months she’s been with us, Maria has already started taking the first small, slow steps to recovery. She feels safe here and has begun to take pride in her appearance. Before she came to us, she had never even been taught about personal hygiene! Learning to play netball has been another new experience which gives her a lot of enjoyment.
Maria needs to know that she is valued … that good people care about her and want to help. That’s what support from people like you says. So, please will you consider making a monthly contribution towards the cost of caring for a child like this?
When you sponsor a child like Maria, you help pay for therapy, counselling and extra lessons, as well as basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing and toiletries.
As little as R100 or R200 per month makes a difference. R600 covers the monthly cost of food for one child. And R1000 pays for professional assessments.
Any amount, donated online now, will be most gratefully received. Every rand is precious because, added together, they make all the difference to an abused, neglected or abandoned child’s future.
For Maria, the road to recovery will be long and difficult. But we’ll walk beside her every step of the way. Because every child deserves the chance to grow and develop into the young person they are supposed to be. Please will you be part of this journey?
Children need to dream and believe in magic.
Please support our efforts to keep children safe and 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.
In mid 2017, South Africa was home to 19.6 million children under the age of 18
Of these:
We appreciate donations of non-perishable food items, clothing and toiletries. Please contact us for a list of our most pressing needs.
Choose the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre as the beneficiary of your MySchool card and help raise funds every time you swipe the card.
Helping with homework, mentoring older children and sewing clothes are just some of the ways you can make a difference.
Provide a regular monthly service like removal of garden refuse, or general maintenance like replacing light bulbs and tap washers.
Run a marathon and ask your friends to sponsor you ... or ask for donations to DCYCC in lieu of birthday or Christmas gifts.
Even small donations - made regularly every month by debit order or recurring EFT - add up to a whole lot of help.
One sentence in your will could make a lasting impact on a child's life – and costs you nothing right now!
Contribute towards the running costs for one room – and your kindness will touch many children's lives each year.
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