We’re celebrating our 120th year!
This year marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of our organisation. Based on Wikipedia’s estimate that the average generation spans 20-30 years, we can proudly boast that the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre has provided a safe and nurturing home environment for up to five generations of children in need of care.
In celebration of our 120 years of service to the most vulnerable members of our community, the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre is excited to unveil our new logo and visual identity. The logo symbolises a nurturing home with ‘heart’ at its core, radiating light and joy as children thrive, grow and celebrate life beyond its walls. Its fresh, bright color palette expresses the diversity of the many children and youth who have accessed and benefited from our services and support over the past 120 years.
Although our values and beliefs have stood firm for over a century, they are now expressed in a more modern, colourful way that resonates with the children placed in our care, their families and their communities.
In September this year, we will be commemorating our 120th milestone with a special Gala Dinner in celebration with the city. It will be a wonderful opportunity to honour our incredible community of supporters – businesses, trusts, foundations, religions groups, social clubs, school groups and dynamic individuals – all of whom have made a significant impact and strengthened the cause over the years.
Against the backdrop of our celebratory year is the day-to-day reality of ensuring that we have the necessary human and financial resources to provide efficient, quality care. Having survived two World Wars and numerous other natural and man-made disasters due to the goodwill of friends and members of the community, we know that we can count on your continued support throughout the year and into the future.

children deserve to be safe & happy

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.
WATCH OUR VIDEO TO FIND OUT MORE
SOUTH AFRICA’S CHILDREN ARE HURTING

In mid 2018, South Africa was home to 19.7 million children under the age of 18
Of these:
million orphans
million dependent on grants
thousand live in
child only households
%
live below
the poverty line
HOW WE HELP

OUR PROGRAMMES
RESIDENTIAL CARE
OUR PROGRAMMES
RESIDENTIAL CARE
Up to 60 boys and girls, between the ages of 2-18, live in three units. They attend local schools and receive counseling, remedial teaching, therapy and other activities designed to encourage them to develop skills, talents and confidence.
OUR PROGRAMMES
AMAQHAWE CENTRE
OUR PROGRAMMES
AMAQHAWE CENTRE
This is a home for 14 children suffering from chronic life threatening illnesses (mainly HIV) and disabilities. We focus on their emotional, spiritual and medical care. Wherever possible, families are encouraged to be involved.
OUR PROGRAMMES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
OUR PROGRAMMES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Professional support to other child & youth care centres, the National Association of Child Care Workers, Regional Youth Forum, etc.
OUR PROGRAMMES
RESIDENTIAL CARE
OUR PROGRAMMES
RESIDENTIAL CARE
Up to 60 boys and girls, between the ages of 2-18, live in three units. They attend local schools and receive counseling, remedial teaching, therapy and other activities designed to encourage them to develop skills, talents and confidence.
OUR PROGRAMMES
AMAQHAWE CENTRE
OUR PROGRAMMES
AMAQHAWE CENTRE
This is a home for 14 children suffering from chronic life threatening illnesses (mainly HIV) and disabilities. We focus on their emotional, spiritual and medical care. Wherever possible, families are encouraged to be involved.
OUR PROGRAMMES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
OUR PROGRAMMES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Professional support to other child & youth care centres, the National Association of Child Care Workers, Regional Youth Forum, etc.
Play your part
Although we receive a government subsidy for each child, this is nowhere near the real cost of caring.
Your donation helps provide food, shelter, education, medical care and the therapeutic programmes
these children need to overcome their unhappy past and develop into confident, happy young people.

Gifts in Kind
We appreciate donations of non-perishable food items, clothing and toiletries. Please contact us for a list of our most pressing needs.
Get a MySchool Card
Choose the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre as the beneficiary of your MySchool card and help raise funds every time you swipe the card.
Volunteer
Helping with homework, mentoring older children and sewing clothes are just some of the ways you can make a difference.
Maintenance
Provide a regular monthly service like removal of garden refuse, or general maintenance like replacing light bulbs and tap washers.
Fundraise for us
Run a marathon and ask your friends to sponsor you … or ask for donations to DCYCC in lieu of birthday or Christmas gifts.
Set up a monthly payment
Even small donations – made regularly every month by debit order or recurring EFT – add up to a whole lot of help.
Leave a bequest
One sentence in your will could make a lasting impact on a child’s life – and costs you nothing right now!
Sponsor a child
Contribute towards the cost of caring for one child, with a regular monthly donation towards food, clothing, education and medical bills.


Monkey proof at last!
Much as our children enjoy watching the antics of the monkeys in our neighbourhood, our vegetable gardeners were not amused to see their precious produce being carried off by these naughty creatures. The answer, we thought, was plastic netting to keep the trespassers...
Message from the Director – Mandy Goble
Did you know that Child and Youth Care Centres are amongst the most highly regulated services in South Africa? The Children’s Act has an entire chapter dedicated to the establishment and operating requirements of registered Centres, along with a very long list of...
Soccer heroes
On Thursday, 3 October, our children and staff had the absolute privilege of meeting and interacting with the awesome players from the Orlando Pirates Soccer Team. Thank you Orlando Pirates Football Club, and sponsors Aquellé and Vodacom for treating our children to...
Heritage Day celebrations
Our children enjoyed a wonderful Heritage Day programme on 24 September. It was an opportunity to dress up in their traditional wear, taste a variety of cultural dishes and participate in a colourful and diverse programme of song and dance. [gallery link="none"...
Bedtime bliss
Just look at what the incredible donors to our linen appeal have made possible! When the children saw their brand new bed linen all set up, ready and waiting for bedtime, they were so excited. Specially chosen to suit each child's personality and preferences, the...
Ladies High Tea
Our Ladies High Tea was held on Thursday, 26 September in aid of our SAWAS House renovations project – and what a beautiful gathering it was, as you can see from the photographs! Many thanks to Coastlands Hotel Musgrave for their sponsorship of the event. Special...