What are you doing on Monday 18 July?

That’s Mandela Day … the day all South Africans are encouraged to take action to help make our world a better place.

And what better place to start than with our children? Because Madiba himself had a special love and concern for children.

“Giving children a healthy start in life, no matter where they are born or the circumstances of their birth, is the moral obligation of every one of us,” he said.

Here at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre, we take in children whose circumstances are far from ideal … and give them a second chance to experience the happy, carefree childhood they deserve.

Freedom from fear and hunger … opportunities to play and learn … and above all, love, comfort and security.

If you share these values and ideals, then why not spend your Mandela Day minutes right here at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre in Glenwood.

We need your energy and enthusiasm to give our Home some much needed TLC. It’s a great opportunity to get friends or work colleagues together for some team building that will leave you all feeling good about yourselves.

This year’s Mandela Day theme is:

“Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.”

Everyone can make a difference. Please contact us to make a difference in the lives of our children. You’ll be so glad you did!

If you can’t give 67 minutes of your time on Mandela Day, please consider giving 67 minutes’ worth of your salary.

If you work a 40 hour week, simply divide your salary by 176 for an approx cost of one hour of your time.

Or just give any amount you choose in celebration of Mandela Day!

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

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