Could you be a Christmas Angel?
Imagine being the one who brings a little of the joy, warmth and wonder of the season to a vulnerable, abandoned or orphaned child at our Home. How amazing would it feel to spread that kind of love and cheer?
Your R150 donation puts a brightly wrapped gift under the Christmas tree for a child to open. And if you can give R350, you’ll provide not only a gift, but a special meal and party as well – with paper hats, Christmas crackers and sweets.
Or, you could give a child a trip to the movies … or a holiday outing to the beach, complete with a yummy ice-cream cone. Even something as ordinary as a pair of school shoes and a new school bag for 2026 would be greeted with excitement.
How 12-year-old Luca’s eyes would light up at treats like these!
Especially since he and his sister won’t be going home for Christmas. There’s nothing for them there except indifference and neglect – both physical and emotional.
Kids can deal with hardship – going hungry or having to wear shoes with holes in the soles – as long as they are loved, valued and encouraged. As long as there are strong family ties and a sense of belonging.
Luca and his sister had none of those things. Until they found a new ‘family’ here at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre.
In four years, Luca has blossomed into such a lovely boy – always respectful, appreciative and considerate of other people’s feelings.
Good at school too! Maths, science and technology are his favourite subjects. This boy has a really bright future. But for now, he’s still a child. And like all children, he deserves a little fun and excitement. A chance to make happy memories to carry with him for the rest of his life.
But, with 70 other children at our Home all deserving the same chance, it’s going to take something special to make it happen … a Christmas Angel for each child.
Please will you be that Angel – by sponsoring a gift, party or holiday outing for a child?
Make this season of goodwill count. As little as R150 makes a difference to a child in need. R700 pays for the full Christmas package of gift, party, outing and new school shoes and bag for 2026.
Any amount you give is sincerely appreciated and will make a difference. God bless you for your kindness to a child.
Grateful thanks to our corporate Christmas Angels – your generous support brings so much joy into our Home
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.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
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.
What’s happening at our Home
Hard work and determination the key to Ntombenhle’s success
Our Child Care Manager, Ntombenhle Mkhwanazi has a BA (HSSS) in Psychological Counselling. Obtaining her qualification was a journey that lasted 14 years. And every one of those years required commitment, dedication, patience, determination and flexibility. It all...
Dis-Chem dash … every month!
How amazing is it to be gifted with a R3 000 Dis-Chem shopping allowance every month? Thanks to the Dis-Chem Foundation’s generous donation, we can start off every month with a supply of basic medicines (headache tablets, plasters, Dettol, ointment, etc) and purchase...
Floored by your generosity, Ironman 4 the kids
Like all our buildings, the hall at Durban Child & Youth Care Centre is old. And the years have taken their toll. At the beginning of 2022, we were fortunate to receive funding from two donors, which allowed us to repair the roof and fix up the ablutions. But the...
Time in the garden is food for the soul
Thanks to the Matthew 25 Company, in partnership with KL Nursery, our children enjoyed a fun and educational morning learning about plants and gardening. Special thanks to all involved for donating their time and resources to ensure that this project was a success....
Farewell to Premie Pillay
On 31 January 2023, we bid farewell to a special and remarkable woman, known to our children as Aunty Premie. After almost 20 years of service as one of our residential social workers, Premie Pillay is starting a new chapter in her life. When we asked her what were...
We are hiring – social worker vacancy
The Durban Child and Youth Care Centre has a vacancy for a resident Social Worker. Duties associated with the position are case work, group work, community work and statutory work. Requirements: Four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree. Minimum of five years work...
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