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.
Feb 16, 2024 | News
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our extraordinary community of friends and donors who embraced our Back to School appeal!
Our deepest thanks go out to corporates, foundations, and individuals for the generous donations, both in cash and kind. Your incredible support has enabled our children to begin the new school year fully equipped. Just look at those shiny new school shoes!
We value your investment in the lives of our children and extend our appreciation for giving them an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and excel!
Oct 30, 2023 | News
Our Annual Friendship Day took place on Saturday, 28 October. This year’s theme was, “Friends are like Diamonds, Bright and Beautiful”. It’s important to celebrate friendship. Because, as Bill Watterson said, “Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.”
It was an opportunity for the children to showcase their talents and spend quality time with their mentors, friends and family in a fun-filled environment.
Special thanks to radio personality, Chantal Moonsamy from Radio Point 3, for being our incredible guest speaker on the day. We also acknowledge with gratitude all our sponsors: What’s the Function for the popular photobooth and stage décor, J&J Professional Sound for creating such a wonderful vibe, The Sai Group of Chatsworth for the donation of snack packs, and Shell Overport Motors who sponsored meals for all our guests.
Oct 5, 2023 | News
Imagine going home for the school holidays and not having food to eat!
Many of our children are from underprivileged homes, where good, nourishing food is in short supply. Some of the children are on Antiretroviral treatment and cannot risk missing a meal as medication can’t be taken on an empty stomach.
But being allowed to go home for the holidays is an important part of our family reunification programme – and eagerly anticipated by the kids. Cases are reviewed regularly and we partner with the children’s extended family to ensure the children’s welfare while they are away.
Part of that is arranging food parcels for the children to take home with them. Over the years, our “Buckets of Love Campaign” has been generously supported by schools, religious groups, corporates and individuals. And now we need your help again.
Please become our partners in caring; help fill a bucket by donating non perishable food items such as:
- Baked beans
- Tinned fish & vegetable curry
- 5kg rice
- 2kg maize meal
- 2kg sugar
- 2kg samp
- Morvite instant porridge /Jungle oats
- Tea, coffee and powdered milk
- Onion soup
- 2 litre cooking oil
- Peanut butter and jam
In most cases the bucket of love we send them home with, becomes their only source of nutrition over the holidays! And we need 35 buckets by 14 March 2024.
Items may be dropped off at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre in Glenwood. Thank you for your ongoing support and care for our precious little ones.
