Why do we need you to make a double impact? Because we often have more than one child from the same family at our Home. Like brothers Zack and Josh, who came to us last February.

These two little boys have never known what it’s like to be part of a stable, loving and nurturing family. Their dad died years ago, and no one knows where their mom is. The brothers were living with their great aunt – but she didn’t really want them. And the older they got, the more unwilling she was to provide them with a home.

Although Zack and Josh share a close bond and enjoy spending time together, they are very different!

Josh, the younger one, has thrived in this new environment. He is a happy child who makes friends easily and enjoys playing with the other children and sharing hugs with his caregivers. He is doing well in Grade 2 at Sydenham Primary School.

Here at DCYYC, he participates in all the various activities and programmes offered – arts & crafts, literacy, drama and reading, as well as anti bullying, child protection and health & wellness sessions,. He even volunteers to help with chores!

But big brother Zack is a completely different kettle of fish!

He has difficulty trusting people and was often angry and withdrawn – swearing at adults, hitting other children and breaking property. He struggled to adjust to the structure and routine of our Home and wouldn’t join in any of the programmes or activities.

School was even more of a problem.

Almost every day, Zack would sneak out of the school grounds and walk all the way back to DCYCC on his own. We were so worried something would happen to him! We tried a different school, but he remained defiant and refused to complete his school work. So we arranged for him to have a Cognitive and Emotional Assessment at the Children’s Assessment Centre in Sherwood.

We discovered that because he had missed so much school in the past, he lacked the foundation on which to build academic development. He was also diagnosed as ADHD.

Zack is now on medication to manage the condition and has been enrolled in a remedial school for children with special learning needs. Classes are small and Zack is benefitting from individual attention. He is now enthusiastic about going to school and is thriving academically and beginning to feel good about himself again. He is also learning to trust adults and has developed a close bond with his social worker and caregivers.

At last we’re sure he’s going to be alright. Now you see why we need that extra gift?