Jun 12, 2024 | News
During 2022 we successfully applied for funding from Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. Two of our residential homes required extensive renovation and refurbishing, at a cost of just under a million rand (R921 569.64). The two buildings were:
Amaqhawe Care Centre
Fourteen children with life threatening chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or physical disabilities live here. We provide access to appropriate medical treatment to restore their health and dignity. Many of the children are here because of poor adherence to ARV Treatment for HIV infection. We focus on the emotional, spiritual, and medical care of these children. In addition, we encourage parents and extended family members to become partners in the process, by supporting and educating them about their children’s needs. By laying the foundations for positive living, we give children and their families hope for the future.
Khayelisha House
This building is home to twenty teenage girls, between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Since our main focus is family reunification, we work in partnership with the family and extended family to enable the girls to return home as soon as possible. Or, we strive to place them in a family environment if they cannot go back to their own families. During the time they spend with us, we assess the girls and provide programmes designed to strengthen and build capacity. Ultimately, we want to help them cope more effectively with the challenges of life within their family and community.
External and internal renovations
Having met all the application requirements of the Embassy of Japan, renovations began in May 2023. Contractors, Innovative Methology NPC, managed the project, which included external and internal renovations, such as painting, refurbishing, and replacing doors, door frames and windows. Ceilings and flooring were also repaired or replaced in parts of the Amaqhawe House.
The project was completed in September 2023, with the official handover ceremony taking place on Thursday, 23 May 2024. This event was attended by His Excellency Ambassador Shigeru Ushio (Embassy of Japan in the Republic of SA), Counsellor Kubo Tomoko (Embassy of Japan), Ms Muramoto Miyuki (First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan), Thandi Hoboyi (Development Consultant of the Embassy of Japan), Ms Pamela Xuma (District Coordinator, Department of Social Development), Colonel Ximba (Umbilo South African Police Services) and board members and staff of the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of South Africa, Mr USHIO Shigeru for the incredible kindness and support we’ve received from The People of Japan.
Jun 12, 2024 | News
On Saturday 8 June, the South Africa Community Food Bank (SACFB) hosted a day of nourishment and joy for 5 000 underprivileged children (from age five up) at the Moses Mabhida People’s Park. Our young people were included, and thoroughly enjoyed a fun-filled day. What child wouldn’t – with entertainment in the form of jumping castles, clowns and games?
Each child received a delicious, nutritious meal. Thy also participated in a wonderful educational seed planting activity, which provided valuable lessons on sustainability and the importance of caring for our environment. On top of all this, the children received gifts of clothing and games to take home.
During the day, there was a weight assessment service, which enabled us to check our children’s BMI and MAUC measurements. We’re glad to report that they are healthy and ‘on track’.
Thank you SACFB for allowing our children to be a part of this wonderful initiative.
Feb 16, 2024 | News
Enter the Food Lover’s Market & The Sharks Trolley Dash, and stand a chance to win a trolley full of goods AND tickets to see The Sharks play.
You have 30 seconds to dash around the store and fill your trolley, while one of your favourite Sharks players will be dashing to collect fresh produce groceries for us!
To enter you need to complete the form here, including an image of a recent till slip with an in-store spend of at least R250. But you’ll need to act quickly – the competition ends 25 February 2024.
Feb 16, 2024 | News
These two young men are proof that your past doesn’t define you … it just tells your story of strength and courage!
20 year old Jacob came into our care in 2017. He was a victim of abuse and needed a place of safety. During the six years he’s been with us, he has grown into an honest, respectful and responsible young man.
However, Jacob was really worried about the future. He was concerned about what would happen to him when he completed matric and had to strike out on his own. So anxious and stressed was he, that he was unable to concentrate on his school work, and failed the first three terms of matric. His teachers and the school principal were really concerned about him. But our social worker and child care team kept encouraging him and did their best to create an environment in which he could learn and believe in himself.
Complete turnaround
And, in the final term, to everyone’s surprise, he did a complete turnaround. Jacob regained his focus, worked hard and studied!
Today he holds his matric certificate with so much pride and joy. It’s a tangible symbol of how he overcame his challenges and went on to succeed. As for the future, he no longer fears it. Because, this bright young man successfully applied for, and was accepted into a hospitality learnership programme with the Protea Hotel Institute. Hospitality is his passion, so this is really a dream come true for him.
Solomon – also aged 20 years – came into our care in 2022 as a troubled young man. He had hoped to be adopted, but the process broke down. So he quit school, joined a gang and started taking drugs. In just two years, with intervention, therapy and counselling, Solomon has transformed into the respectable young man he is today.
Although Solomon is reserved and doesn’t speak much, when he does it’s usually something wise and profound.
Like Jacob, Solomon also has a passion for Hospitality. He will be starting a Hotel Management Course soon, and he is determined not to let his past define his future. He worked hard and proved that anything is possible if you believe!
Feb 16, 2024 | News
In 2019, the HWSETA presented us with the opportunity to enhance the qualifications of our child and youth care workers by offering the NQF Level 5 training. This training was a significant step forward, giving our workers the chance to improve their skills in child and youth care work.
For many of them, covering the cost of the training was a challenge they couldn’t overcome independently. This, together with a moratorium on training materials, and the subsequent impact of the Covid pandemic, led to the process being delayed by over three years.
Maintaining our workers’ focus and motivation throughout these challenges has been no small feat. We take immense pride in their unwavering determination to see the process through. As they approach their final exam in April this year, we continue to support and encourage them.
We eagerly anticipate celebrating, not only their academic achievements, but also the personal growth they’ve undergone. Qualities such as self-discipline, self-motivation, commitment and endurance have all been evident throughout this journey.
Feb 16, 2024 | News
As we end the second month of 2024, I am reminded of a comment I made to an ex-board member before returning to work following my year-end leave. I said that I was looking forward to the challenges of the new year on my return to the Centre. Little did I know that at that time, the Department of Social Development was in the midst of finalising preparations for cuts to NPO subsidies here in KZN.
We, along with other NPO’s across KZN received a letter from the Head of Department of Social Development clearly highlighting that, ‘continuous budget cuts by National Treasury has left the Department with no alternative but to reduce funding for all NPOs in the upcoming financial years.’ Note the plural … not just the upcoming financial year, but the upcoming financial years!
The last increase to subsidy was in 2019. And now, as we draw to the close of the 2023/2024 financial year, the current subsidy only covers 50% of our running costs. We’re going to need a miracle to be able to manage with further cuts to this already inadequate subsidy. Especially against the backdrop of the ever-soaring cost of living. My comment of ‘looking forward to the challenges of the new year’, seems like a challenge in itself now.
There is a lot about the year ahead that I don’t know. But what I do know with unequivocal certainty, is that we will not abandon the many vulnerable, abused, neglected, and rejected children in KZN who need the safety, care, and treatment that we have to offer. We are blessed with a community of generous and kind-hearted donors, like you, who come to our rescue and help us meet our needs.
Together with your support we place our trust in God’s hands and believe that we shall overcome this unexpected challenge.
