Feb 15, 2022 | News
Thanks once again to the generosity of The Victor Daitz Foundation, our historic Baumann Hall now has a new roof – and a new lease on life. Broken tiles have been replaced, and years of moss build up removed. Adding the finishing touch are the spick and span new fascias. Now, the roof not only looks good, but is completely sound and weather proof.
The generous R188 522 grant we received from the Foundation was enough to cover the cost of replacing the boiler at SAWAS House as well. This completes some of the urgent repairs and renovations needed at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre. Thanks to all concerned, for giving our children a safe and comfortable home they can be proud of.
Oct 21, 2021 | News
Weeks without being able to go to school during 2020 – and then the rotational system for school attendance that was introduced when schools finally opened again – have highlighted the learning challenges of our children.
Although these challenges existed before the pandemic, reduced face-to-face teaching has compounded the problem. At DCYCC, we introduced an academic support programme last year, and this identified reading and writing as the main areas where most of our children struggle.
Thanks to HSBC Bank, and many other donors who responded so positively to our appeal, we received the necessary funding to provide educational and emotional assessment and treatment for the most critical cases.
Oct 21, 2021 | News
Exciting times, as old tiles and sanitaryware are removed from our bathrooms, and new spaces created to create beautiful modern ablutions facilities for the kids!
We are so grateful to the German Embassy for their incredible donation towards our Covid-19 risk reduction need, which has enabled us to make a start on upgrading ablution facilities and isolation rooms.
With the basic guidelines and preventative measures necessary to protect children and staff against Covid-19, came the realisation that our isolation rooms and old ablution facilities simply weren’t good enough. A risk assessment was done and a number of areas were identified as risk areas. With finances already stretched to the limit, we were not able to plan the necessary upgrades, until the German Embassy stepped in. Thank you for your caring and generous support.
Oct 19, 2021 | News
Back in 2019 we received notice that the HWSETA was offering our child and youth care workers an opportunity to improve their qualification. In addition, we were able to extend the training for the practical section of the qualification to another 13 unemployed learners.
Then along came Covid-19 … wreaking havoc with the timeline for this training. However, our trainees persevered and will complete the Level 5 Qualification in Child Care by the end of this year.
As we worked with the HWSETA to provide both employed and unemployed learners with the best possible learning environment, a relationship developed that has resulted in the HWSETA entrusting the coordination of another Level 5 qualification training programme to us. This programme will be available to 50 employed child and youth care workers from other Child Care Centres in and around Durban.
We are very excited by this partnership and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute towards the professional development of child and youth care workers.
Oct 19, 2021 | News
In reflecting on this past year, I am saddened by the pain so many people have had to experience. The loss of loved ones, livelihoods, and life as it was pre Covid-19. The looting and unrest here in KZN was another moment in time that will forever remain etched in our memories. The intense emotions linked to these experiences seem to swirl around us with unrelenting force, leaving us spent.
The beautiful thing about working with children though is how they remind us, every day in so many ways, why we cannot lose hope. Hope for our future, for our families and for our country. This little four-letter word, H O P E is so much bigger than what it looks like on paper.
Hope is not pretending that there is no hardship or sorrow. It is rather the quiet still voice that whispers that our troubles are for a season. It is the inner strength we can draw on to sustain us now and tomorrow. Hope is an amazing feeling.
It is hope that has kept so many of us going this year. As lockdown levels eased, we saw how hope rose in our children. Hope for more meaningful contact with family and community, hope for regular school attendance and hope for a future.
The generous support of so many of our donors kept hope alive as we struggled to raise funds in an environment that has become progressively more hostile and barren – as the after effects of the pandemic and, more recently, the looting took effect. As we draw close to wrapping up this year, let us hold tightly onto the light and promise that hope fosters in our hearts.
Oct 19, 2021 | News
Sadly, our trusty Yaris was written off by our Insurer after being damaged in a minor accident recently. We are grateful to be insured, however the R30 000 settlement is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of another vehicle.
Over the past 14 years, this little car proved to be work horse. It was used by child and youth care workers to attend parent meetings at schools during evenings and weekends when our drivers are not available … to transport very ill children to hospital after hours and on weekends … to transport social workers, senior child and youth care workers and admin staff to training sessions … to the bank, and to the shops for small items.
In February 2019, the Yaris became indispensable as the means to transport food from our central kitchen at 222 Lena Ahrens Road to the 265/267 Lena Ahrens Road property over weekends and public holidays.
At a time when we are already finding the fundraising space so hostile, this unexpected expense is crushing! If you know of anyone within the motor industry that could help us with a vehicle sponsorship please email nicolette@dch.org.za
