May 29, 2026 | Blog
Child Protection Week, observed during the month of May, is of significance to us here at Durban Child and Youth — a time dedicated to raising awareness about the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children across South Africa – the week serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect, nurture, and empower every child.
We believe that children are among the most vulnerable members of society, many facing challenges such as neglect, abuse, violence, poverty, and abandonment. What Child Protection Week does is encourages communities, families, schools, and organisations to collectively promote the creation and maintenance of environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive.
At our Centre, child protection is not limited to just one week a year — it is at the heart of everything we do. Every day, we strive to provide a secure and caring space where children and youth receive emotional support, education, guidance, and opportunities to build brighter futures, where every child feels valued, heard, and protected.
This year Child Protection Week reminds us that protecting children begins with awareness and action. Simple acts such as listening to a child, reporting abuse, supporting struggling families, or volunteering your time can make a lasting difference in a young person’s life.
We also acknowledge the significant role played by social workers, child and youth care workers, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members who work tirelessly to safeguard children’s rights and wellbeing. Their dedication helps build stronger communities and gives vulnerable children hope for a better tomorrow.
As we commemorate Child Protection Week, we are encouraged to reflect on how we can all contribute to creating a safer society for children. Together we can, break cycles of abuse and neglect, restore dignity, and ensure that every child can reach their full potential.
Let us continue to stand united in protecting our children — not only during Child Protection Week, but every single day of the year.
How You Can Help
* Report suspected child abuse or neglect at your nearest Department of Social Development of Child Welfare office.
* Support child and youth care centres in your community.
* Volunteer your time and skills.
* Donate clothing, food, educational supplies, or other resources.
* Advocate for children’s rights and wellbeing whenever the opportunity arises.
Because every child deserves protection, compassion, and a bright tomorrow!
Apr 23, 2026 | Blog
Every year on 27 April, South Africa commemorates Freedom Day — marking the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 and celebrating the values of dignity, equality, and human rights for all.
Yet freedom is not just a moment in history. It is something that must be continuously lived, protected, and expanded — especially for children and young people navigating complex social and economic realities.
Many young people today still face significant challenges, from inequality and unemployment to gaps in education and access to meaningful support. These realities remind us that while freedom exists in law, its full experience is still unfolding in everyday life.
While often discussed in broad terms, freedom is also deeply personal. For many of the children in our care, dignity begins with access to basic daily necessities.
Items like soap, toothpaste, sanitary products, and deodorant may seem small, but they play a powerful role in a child’s sense of self-worth. Without them, young people can feel excluded, self-conscious, and less confident — particularly in school and social environments.
Our recent focus on ensuring access to these essentials has reinforced an important truth: freedom is not only about rights, but about ones lived experience. When children are equipped to care for themselves, they are better able to participate fully in daily life — to learn, engage, and connect without stigma or shame.
Mar 19, 2026 | Blog
As we approach Human Rights Day on 21 March, we are reminded of the urgent need to strengthen the protection and fulfilment of children’s rights in South Africa. The South African Human Rights Commission identifies children’s rights as one of its core priority areas, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by millions of young people across the country.
Children—defined in our Constitution as individuals under the age of 18—remain among the most vulnerable groups in our society. Current national estimates indicate that one in five children is an orphan, and approximately 64.5% live in low income households affected by poverty. These conditions contribute to food insecurity, limited access to quality education, inadequate basic services, and increased exposure to abuse and violence.
Every child placed in our care has endured some combination of these hardships. As a Child and Youth Care Centre, we provide a safe, nurturing, and stabilising environment for children in need of care and protection. Our aim is to give each child the opportunity to heal, learn, and simply experience childhood—free from the responsibilities and dangers they once carried.
Our programme focuses on promoting, protecting, and educating children and their families about children’s rights. Beyond our developmental residential programme, we also participate in local and national advocacy efforts to strengthen legislation and policy that affect vulnerable children.
Despite progress since democracy, UNICEF South Africa’s 2024 findings highlight an urgent call for action across all sectors to ensure every child understands their rights and experiences them consistently. Much more needs to be done before this becomes a reality for the many children who rely on organisations like ours for safety, dignity, and opportunity.
We are grateful for the many donors who by partnering with us provide the support we need to ensure that the children in our care not only survive but thrive, and that their rights are upheld in meaningful, lasting ways.
References:
UNICEF & SAHRC Websites
Feb 13, 2026 | Blog
Across much of the world, February is synonymous with ‘love.’ While Valentine’s Day offers a reminder to celebrate it, at the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre we are privileged to witness love in action every single day.
For us, love is far more than a once a year sentiment. It is something lived and experienced in daily routines, shared meals, homework support, laughter on the playground, and in the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters.
As international child and youth care expert Thom Garfat notes, love is essential for healthy development. It is inclusive, fosters connection, and becomes a powerful resource for healing. We see this truth reflected in the lives of the neglected and abused children who arrive at our Centre with hurting hearts but begin to flourish when offered consistent care and emotional security. Stable relationships, kindness, and a genuine invitation to belong, offered in love, form the foundation for their healing and growth.
Love is:
• A Child and Youth Care Worker reading to children after a long day.
• A Social Worker offering guidance and reassurance with patience and understanding.
• A young person pausing to show a peer how to peel potatoes.
• A donor who gives faithfully and generously.
• A community of supporters who respond to our needs and champion the work we do.
May your month of love overflow into each day of the year ahead, and may you find moments of connection, kindness, and hope wherever you are.
Jan 20, 2026 | Blog
There’s something about the start of a new year that seems to entice us to do some self-reflection. We look back on the struggles of the past year; we ruminate on how we could have tackled them differently and consider the outcome we had hoped for. Then go to ‘reset’. For many of us, this process is full of good intentions, but if we are honest there’s that little seed of doubt. Change often feels difficult, and at times even impossible, especially when past efforts may have not gone as planned.
Here at DCYCC, we begin 2026 grounded in a belief that sits at the heart of our work; that all people, without exception, have immense potential. Potential to grow, to heal, to reconnect, and to live lives that feel meaningful and effective. That change is not only possible, but achievable when appropriate support, strong relationships, and the right resources are in place.
From past experiences we know that growth happens in small, steady steps. Progress looks different for everyone, and setbacks are not signs of failure, they are part of learning. When we approach ourselves and others with patience and compassion, we create the conditions where real change can take root.
This year, we invite everyone; staff, young people, families, and community members alike, to embrace kindness. Be gentle with yourself. Be generous with others. Wipe the slate clean when needed and remember that every day offers another opportunity to ‘reset’.
We remain committed to walking alongside those in our care, believing in their capacity to grow, and supporting them as they discover new ways of seeing themselves and the world.
Here’s to 2026 – a year of fresh starts and great possibility!
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Oct 30, 2025 | Blog
It’s the final school term for 2025 and we can hardly believe that we’ve reached that time of the year again when our children are preparing for their exams. We understand how overwhelming this period can be for children, so we’ve prepared some useful tips to help you support your child.
To help your child improve his/her focus and concentration it is important that he/she develops a routine, minimize distractions, shas clear study goals and engages in activities that promote their ability to focus.
- Develop a simple study routine. For children that have trouble focusing, try to encourage them to study at the same time every day. We’ve learnt that this consistency helps their brain recognize when it’s time to focus, making it easier for them to concentrate.
- Studying can be overwhelming, especially when some subjects have more notes and applications to learn than others. Breaking down the notes into manageable sections or tasks will help your child manage the work and feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete learning each section at a time.
- Before starting a study session, help your child set specific, achievable goals. This gives them direction and helps them focus on what needs to be accomplished.
- Try to minimize any distractions by providing a quiet, organized space for your child to study. Limiting access to TVs, phones, and other potential distractions during study time is advisable.
- Regular physical activity can help improve mental health and focus. Activities like playing ball, skipping, sports, or even short breaks for movement can help clear the mind.
The aim is to help your child take responsibility for his/her own learning through creating a supportive and encouraging environment. Remember this set of exams is a building block. There are many more to come and ideally, we want our children to internalise self-discipline and learning habits that set them up for success!
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