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.
