Feb 15, 2023 | News
Like all our buildings, the hall at Durban Child & Youth Care Centre is old. And the years have taken their toll. At the beginning of 2022, we were fortunate to receive funding from two donors, which allowed us to repair the roof and fix up the ablutions. But the state of the flooring literally had us ‘floored’.
Broken and worn tiles were becoming a tripping hazard, as well as unhygienic. But we couldn’t stop using it, because the hall is the heart of our Home. It’s a central meeting point for the children from all the units … a place where they can get together for educational, developmental and recreational programmes, as well as various activities and events. Staff, too, use the hall on a regular basis for team meetings and training.
We are thankful to Ironman 4 the Kidz for coming to our aid and donating the funds needed to renovate the hall flooring. There was even enough left over to renovate the showers at the Amaqhawe Care Centre. Talk about being showered with blessings! A huge shout out to Ironman 4 Kidz for their wonderful generosity and caring.
Feb 7, 2023 | News
Thanks to the Matthew 25 Company, in partnership with KL Nursery, our children enjoyed a fun and educational morning learning about plants and gardening.
Special thanks to all involved for donating their time and resources to ensure that this project was a success. Our children had an incredible time and our garden looks amazing!
Feb 3, 2023 | News
On 31 January 2023, we bid farewell to a special and remarkable woman, known to our children as Aunty Premie. After almost 20 years of service as one of our residential social workers, Premie Pillay is starting a new chapter in her life.
When we asked her what were some of her best moments at DCYCC, she said there were far too many to remember. “But what stands out the most is when we found a family of children who had been abandoned, and were able to reunite them. That was undoubtedly the best feeling ever! Children belong with their family and should never be in a child and youth care centre for long unless they absolutely need to”.
Premie went on to say that she will miss the laughter, the energetic singing during our team activities and the amazing resilience of the DCYCC team . Above all, “I will dearly miss all the little ones who so generously offer their unconditional love to me. I will miss all the precious children!”
My advice to present and future children that come to DCYCC is that, “All children can heal from their past trauma. We all have the inner strength and capacity to improve our future. We just need to believe and trust that we can achieve anything if we really want to.”
Premie was an exceptional social worker, who did a splendid job helping our little ones heal and become stronger.
Premie, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for you all the years of service excellence to our organisation. We’re sad to see you go, but we know that now is the time for you to blossom in something new. On behalf of the board of management, children and staff, we want to wish you all the very best in your new venture!
Feb 3, 2023 | Blog
Here at DCYCC we believe in fresh starts. The Developmental Approach which we subscribe to has as one of its principles the premise that all, ALL people have immense potential to be whole and effective within their daily life, and when given the required support and resources you are able to change.
Now many of us who make our annual resolutions at the dawning of the New Year know just how difficult it is to change our behaviour, even when we know how damaging a particular habit is. Dwelling on how many times we fail to keep the resolutions made is discouraging and completely unhelpful. Squaring off against the behaviours, habits, thoughts, feelings, that hold us back from being the people we want to be, is especially hard when our history tells of our continuous failures.
Because we believe that change IS possible, we create an environment that encourages our children to face those things that hold them back. A clean slate, the opportunity to start afresh is often all the encouragement needed to take that first step towards seeing self and the world differently.
Let us be kinder to ourselves and others this year; wipe the slate clean and give yourself and others a fresh start.
