The smallest things can make the biggest difference
When 14-year-old Naledi arrived at our Home, she carried very little with her.
A small bag of clothes. A few personal items. And the quiet hope that life could somehow feel normal again.
Naledi had never known what it meant to have her own space, her own routine – or even her own basic belongings.
At first, she kept to herself. Reserved. Careful. Unsure of what tomorrow would bring. But slowly, through consistent care and a stable environment, Naledi began to settle.
She started forming friendships. She began taking pride in her appearance. She smiled more easily. And in those small, everyday moments, her confidence started to grow.
Because sometimes, rebuilding a life doesn’t begin with big milestones – it begins with something as simple as being able to take care of yourself.
But we need your help to make this possible.
Right now, we are in urgent need of self-care essentials for children like Naledi.
Toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, body lotion, face cloths, Vaseline, roll-on deodorant and hair combs are used daily – and need to be replaced.
Because, while these items seem small, they play a powerful role in restoring confidence and well-being.
They enable a child to go to school feeling clean and comfortable. They help rebuild self-esteem. They remind each child: you matter.
Could you help us provide these essentials?
Together, we can ensure that every child in our care has not just a safe place to stay – but the everyday essentials they need to feel confident, valued, and ready to face the world.
(Please note: we currently have sufficient stock of sanitary pads and do not require donations of these items at this time.)
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
It’s all about friendship
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...
Buckets of Love
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...
Ironman 4 the Kidz
In July this year, the unimaginable happened! Our last remaining school bus was hijacked. Despite all our efforts, we were unable to recover the vehicle. We were already under immense pressure. Just last year, one of our two vehicles – both of which were critical for...
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...
Message from the Director – Mandy Goble
Working in an organisation as old as ours has its pros and its cons. One of the pros is the history. A history captured in faded ink on yellowed paper, plaques capturing the age of old buildings, children’s files – the oldest on record dating back to 1917 –...
The Big Makeover
Our Amaqhawe Care Centre and Khayelisha House were recently revamped and renovated internally and externally – all thanks to the incredible generosity and support From the People of Japan. Together, these buildings, which date back to 1910 and 1914...
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