National Child Protection Week (31 May-7 June) includes a new invisible enemy this year – Covid-19. Along with protecting children against violence, exploitation and abuse, Child & Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) must follow stringent measures to prevent infection.
Child & Youth Care Centres fall under ‘essential services’ and have continued to operate throughout lockdown, working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well being of thousands of vulnerable children. Most of us have arranged for core staff – our child and youth care workers – to remain on site with the children.
These staff have to be provided with accommodation and meals, laundry facilities and transport, as well as overtime pay. Extra people living in our Home also means extra usage of electricity and water. And – whilst the Department of Social Development has supplied some CYCCs with basic supplies such as masks, soap, dispensers and sanitizers – there has been no consistency in terms of items provided or frequency of distribution.
It all adds up to a huge increase in costs … at a time when we’ve experienced a noticeable drop in donor funding.
If you care about the plight of children who’ve been abused, hurt or frightened in the past, please help us keep them safe now … by making your donation online.
Covid-19 has pushed us all out of our comfort zones – some more than others. The daunting question that faces us now is: How do we continue protecting vulnerable children, when our organisations are themselves in a state of extreme vulnerability?
That’s why CYCCs across KZN – in lockdown during this Child Protection Week – are raising their banners high, to get the attention of government and the general public.
Protecting vulnerable children is everyone’s responsibility.
Child & Youth Care Centres are striving to provide the services needed of us. But we absolutely cannot do this alone! We need your help too.
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.
Read More "Special announcement – Extraordinary response to COVID-19 threat"
