Make your mark this Mandela Day
Help a wish come true for a child at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre.
What do they wish for?
- A scientific calculator to help them shine at school
- New soccer boots and kit
- A new pillow for their bed
- Baked beans, apricot jam and fish fingers (not all together!)
- Soap, toothpaste and Vaseline
- A new lunchbox and water bottle
- A4 paper for drawing/printing school projects
- And more!
Our home also needs comfy couches, carpets, laundry baskets, mattresses, trestle tables and two new industrial tumble driers. Plus many, many more food items, toiletries and cleaning products. Please take a look at our Mandela Day wish list now – and decide what you could give.
Or make a cash contribution online now so we can buy these items on your behalf.
As little as R150 or R200 makes a difference. Especially if you’re able to commit to a monthly donation towards ongoing needs like food and toiletries. Any amount donated online right now is hugely appreciated.
Thank you sincerely for caring about the welfare of children who’ve been abandoned, abused, orphaned or neglected. We can’t change their past but we can give them hope of a better 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.


Message from the Director
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...
A sad goodbye to our trusty Yaris
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...
Des-ign Group to the rescue!
Our buildings are over 116 years old. Which means that they require considerable maintenance and, in some cases, renovation. We need them to provide a safe and secure environment for the children in our care. But, when you are operating on a limited budget, meeting...
Happy Heritage Day
Thanks to Sai Care 108 Pty Ltd we were able to host our annual Heritage Day celebration. We are incredibly grateful for their sponsorship of this special event - one that our children really look forward to and enjoy! Our children enjoyed a delicious heritage meal and...
Culinary skills programme with Ethekwini Caterers
Eight of our young people were recently selected to participate in a one day culinary skills programme facilitated by Ethekwini Caterers. Our children thoroughly enjoyed the day and embraced the opportunity to learn something new - and did really well! Well done to...
Stolen school bus replaced – thanks to IQRAA Trust
When our school bus, donated to us in 2017 by the IQRAA Trust, was stolen from our property last October, we were devastated. Having a safe and reliable vehicle to transport our children on daily basis is one of our top priorities. Despite having security measures in...