Organisation Overview:

The Durban Children’s Home is a Non-Government Organisation. It was established in 1905 by a group of concerned men and women, who saw the need to provide substitute care to orphans, destitute children and children with parents who were unable to care for them. In the past, the organisation provided custodial care to these children. When this method of child care became outdated the organisation was challenged to adjust its programs in order to meet the requirements of the transformation welfare policy in South Africa. This has ensured that the children, youth and their families referred to our programme receive an effective, efficient and relevant service.

We recognise the importance of early intervention, preventative work with children, youth and families, as well as family reunification. Programs with this focus ensure that families do not have to spend long periods in the welfare system, or in some cases do not have to enter the system at all. In order to meet this objective we have developed new, innovative programmes, which provide relevant services to the communities that we serve.

The children who access our programs come from all over Kwa-Zulu Natal. High levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS are experienced in our province which results in many children seeking access to the empowering programs our organisation offers.

Organisation Overview:

The Durban Children’s Home is a Non-Government Organisation. It was established in 1905 by a group of concerned men and women, who saw the need to provide substitute care to orphans, destitute children and children with parents who were unable to care for them. In the past, the organisation provided custodial care to these children. When this method of child care became outdated the organisation was challenged to adjust its programs in order to meet the requirements of the transformation welfare policy in South Africa. This has ensured that the children, youth and their families referred to our programme receive an effective, efficient and relevant service.

We recognise the importance of early intervention, preventative work with children, youth and families, as well as family reunification. Programs with this focus ensure that families do not have to spend long periods in the welfare system, or in some cases do not have to enter the system at all. In order to meet this objective we have developed new, innovative programmes, which provide relevant services to the communities that we serve.

The children who access our programs come from all over Kwa-Zulu Natal. High levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS are experienced in our province which results in many children seeking access to the empowering programs our organisation offers.

Mandy Goble – Director Mandy joined Durban Children’s Home in 1990 as a social worker and in 1994 became the organizations Director.

Premie Pillay – Residential Social Worker Premie joined the DCH team in 2003. She is a Social Worker for the Residential program. 

Vuyani Mthembu– Residential Social Worker Vuyani started at DCH in July of 2011. He is a Social Worker for the Residential program.

Claire Binneman – Resource Developer Claire joined DCH in June of 2010 and oversees fundraising, marketing, public relations and the volunteer program.

Bridget Moses – Co-ordinator Bridget started at DCH in July of 2009. She co-ordinates all product donations, meals and special functions for the children.

Sarah Duthie – Secretary Sarah joined DCH in April 2009. She is the receptionist, personal assistant to the Director and transport co-ordinator.

Tasniem Mokarib – Bookkeeper Tasniem has been with DCH since 2008. She oversees all bookkeeping matters at Durban Children’s Home.

Lucia Mdletshe (Left) and Ntombenhle Mkhwanazi (Right) - Senior Child Care Workers Lucia joined the DCH team in February 2004 and Ntombenhle in 2006. They took over the role as Senior Child Care Workers in April 2011 and jointly oversee the activities program and the child care worker team.

Thokozani Sibiya – Nursing Sister. Sister Sibiya joined the DCH team in 2007.

Andile Biyela – Social Worker for the Siyakhula Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centre Andile joined the DCH team in 2005 and overseas the Siyakhula program.

Residential Program: This program accommodates up to 60 children and youth, of both sexes, between the ages of 2 and 18 years. The 60 children and youth are housed in three units. The program focuses on family reunification, and works in partnership with the family, extended family members and community supports, to ensure that young people are returned home in the shortest time possible. During the time spent in our program, young people are developmentally assessed, and provided with programs, which provide strengthening and capacity building. This enables them to cope more effectively with life within their family and community.

The Siyakhula Treatment Centre: This is a 12 week residential program for young people who are addicted to substances. The program is strengths based and developmental, focusing on existing strengths and developing new skills, so that the young person is able to make life changing decisions and escape from the web of substance abuse. 8 young people are accommodated at a time and 11-17 year age group is targeted. The program encourages participation of family members, as their support and encouragement is vital to the young person’s success in remaining drug free. Durban Children’s Homes is presently the only children’s home in South Africa to offer such a program.

The Amaqhawe Care Centre: This centre houses 14 children who suffer from life threatening chronic illnesses. HIV infection is the main cause of illness. The program focuses on the emotional, spiritual and medical care of these children. Extended families are traced when necessary, and educated with regards to the needs of their children. They are encouraged to provide the child with emotional support, and are included in all matters relating to the health of the child. Access to ARV Treatment has provided hope and health to many of these children. Since this treatment has become available, the focus on this program has shifted from preparation for the death process, to adherence and laying the foundations for positive living. A sub-programme within the care centre now offers care to up to 4 children with profound disability, whilst children with mild disability are absorbed into the residential programme.

The Isibindi Umbumbulu and Ndwedwe Community Outreach Project:

This program is offered in partnership with the NACCW (National Association of Child Care Workers), and the community itself. The project provides developmental child care services to child-headed households.  We currently manage two sites one in Umbumbulu, south of Durban and the other in Ndwedwe, north of Durban.  Our role is that of managing, supporting and mentoring. The project managers lead this project by providing on-line guidance and direction to the teams of community based child and youth care workers. We also provide guidance on management issues and networking with relevant resources. Families are either affected and/or infected with HIV/AID’s and the service helps children deal with the death of their parents and other family members and facilitates family group conferences. Funding for this project is secured by the National Association of Child Care Workers.

Communities in which we are active: Children and youth accessing our services come from all over KwaZulu Natal. We have serviced children, youth and their families from Pietermarizburg, Empangeni and Port Shepstone. However because reunification is key to all our programmes most of the children and youth referred for services come from communities in and around Durban.

End Beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries are the children and youth, however because of the nature of the work families both immediate and extended benefit from the service which in turn has a positive influence on the communities that these families live in.

We wish to extend or heartfelt thanks to Information Security Architects (Pty) Ltd. (ISA) and F-Secure Corporationfor the generous donation of F-Secure PSB Workstation subscription licenses. They have also signed on to offer support to Durban Children’s Home. Thank you ISA (Pty) Ltd!!

A special thank you must go to the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund and the BOE Foundation for funding the development of a written policy and procedures manual for operational, human resource and child care practice requirements as they relate to the Children’s Act (as ammended) which came into effect on the 1st of April 2010. This will be a first of its kind in South Africa and provide a blue print for other child and youth care centres throughout South Africa.

Rose McDonald (Aunty Rose – picture on the left) has been volunteering at Durban Children’s Home for the last 5 years. Our children at Saunders House (where our 4 – 11 year olds stay) have grown so attached to Aunty Rose with her regular visits and showering of love. In addition she provides weekly vegetables and fruit for all the children and sponsors our annual braai and disco for the children at the end of the year.

Mrs. Govender has been volunteering at Durban Children’s Home for the last 4 years. The children at Amaqhawe love having Mrs. G come and help them with their homework and spend time playing with them. She is a valuable support who consistently encourages her family and friends to provide a variety of support to the organisation.

We wouldn’t be one of the best children’s homes in South Africa without all of you.

Timmy Singh our devoted Karate teacher has been teaching our children karate free of charge for many years now. Her personal attention to the needs of our children have seen her take a few of our children under her wing. We truly appreciate all the time, love and energy that our amazing volunteers give our children. We wouldn’t be one of the best children’s homes in South Africa without all of you.

How will donations be used:

All income received by Durban Children’s Home goes towards caring and providing our young people with all their basic and therapeutic needs. I.e. school fees, school uniforms, food, water and electricity, birthday presents, toiletries, clothing, extra mural activities, therapies and all the other running costs of the organization. Donations can be made directly to the following bank account: Bank: Standard Bank Branch: Gale Place Branch #: 042-526 Acc #: 05 122 038 5 Acc Type: Current/Cheque Acc Name: Durban Children’s Home kindly fax through your proof of deposit to 031-2021330 or alternatively email to tasniem@dch.org.za. For International deposits:- Swift number: SBZA ZAJJ. For an updated wishlist please contact Claire at Durban Children’s Home on 031 201 1301 or claire@dch.org.za.

Here’s how you can make a difference…. 

2013 Wishlist

Durban Child & Youth Care Centre (Durban Children’s Homes) Wishlist 2013

01/01/2013

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MySchool Application Form

MySchool Supporter Card Application

01/08/2012

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Sponsor A Child: Click here to read all about our exciting new Sponsor A Child at DCH initiative. Our banking details appear above. Cheques can be made to Durban Children’s Homes. When making a deposit please include as a reference your name followed by the letters SAC and your email. All donations are tax deductable in terms of Section 30 of the Income Tax Act. Your support will make a big difference in our children’s lives. Stop orders are most welcome.

Adopt A Room At Durban Children’s Home: Click here to read all about our Adopt a Room at Durban Children’s Home initiative. Berea Mail article about Adopt A Room.

We welcome all community members to get involved in volunteering at Durban Children's Home

Volunteer work:

We welcome all interested members of the community to get involved in volunteering at Durban Children’s Home. All you have to do is obtain a  clearance from the Child Protection Registrar by filling in the form below, attach a certified copy of your ID and post it to the address on the form (form included below our list of volunteer programs). Once you have received your clearance please contact Claire Binneman on 031 201 1301 for an interview. Here are some of the volunteer programs offered at Durban Children’s Home:

• Assistance with the supervision of the homework program, both group and individual.

• Provision of support when there is a shortage of staff.

• Planning and implementing activities with children.

• Sign language interpreter for group work sessions for children who are deaf.

• Assisting with preparing meals or supervising children over weekends, i.e. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 for lunch and 4:30 for supper.

• Story time for pre-schoolers during homework time.

• Building puzzles with the children.

• Accompanying children to afternoon programs and activities.

• Extra lessons for Maths, Physics and Afrikaans.

• Assistance with coaching netball.

• A motivational reading program for adolescents.

• Art and craft activity group.

• Swimming lessons.

• Sewing, i.e. mending, making basic nighties and pajamas.

• Driving over weekends and evenings.

• Braiding of girls hair.

• Running the food gardens.

• Gardening.

• Cleaning up the grounds with children on a weekly basis.

Prospective volunteer inquiry

Form 30 to be completed and submitted by all prospective volunteers.

01/06/2012

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Research:

Durban Children’s Homes residential social worker, Premie Pillay,  completed her Masters degree researching and compiling a grief and loss program.

We had a PHD student from Wisconsin in the United States who joined us in 2011to complete her degree on the support that workers get who are experiencing their own grief and loss and how this impacts their work as care givers to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Durban Child and Youth Care Centre (Durban Children’s Homes) was one of 5 children’s homes selected by the National Association of Child Care Workers to participate in the piloting of “The Implementation of the Children’s Act, and the Transformation of Child and Youth Care Centres to meet the Requirements of the Act”. This project is based on a model which was developed by NACCW members, and outlines a process to be undertaken by organizations wishing to initiate this transformation process. The purpose of this research was to see if the new model would be at all effective and to give the selected participants an idea of the areas in which their respective organizations are compliant and indicate those areas that need to be addressed for compliance. The organizational assessment, known as the Developmental Quality Assurance assessment was undertaken from the 21st and 23rd of April 2010. The outcome of this assessment, conducted by an assessment team from the NACCW was extremely positive making Durban Children’s Home one of the forerunners in childrens homes in South Africa.

Durban Children’s Home, a forerunner in South African children's homes.

Boston Marathon 2013

“There are absolutely no words to express how shocked we were by this horrific and tragic event and aside from our deepest condolences for the families affected, we were extremely relieved to hear that Raymond Meyer was unharmed. Raymond has been a friend of Durban Children’s Home for the past 3 years and we were so thrilled and honoured by his generous offer to raise funds for the Durban Children’s Home through the participation in the Boston Marathon which was to be his final marathon of his running career. The children and staff were waiting in anticipation to hear the outcome of Raymond’s race and are understandably shaken and wish Raymond a safe return to South Africa. “ Mandy Goble – Director of Durban Children’s Home

Durban Children’s Home’s golf day took place on the 18th of April 2013 at the Royal Durban Golf Course.

Thank you to the following sponsors who made the event a massive success:

M&G Attridge Charitable Trust, ABSA, Kelly’s, Yota, Fragma, Badges for Africa, Wavehouse Gateway, The Sharks, Golf Digest, Mum’s Mail, Just Footprints Foundation, Pablo P rojects, Al Firenze Restirante and Pizzeria, Value Logistics, Investec, IUA Business Solutions, East Coast Radio, Gateway Hotel, Dettol, Mangwanani Spa, Hotel Izulu, Mr Price Home, Eskom, Focus Gifts and Clothing, Garden Court Hotel, Garlicke and Bousfield, Spring Lights Gas, Pragma, Shave & Gibson, Cool Products, Palm Stationery, Mens Executive Grooming, Pentravel

The amount raised for Durban Children’s Home was R 72,210.00! Thank you to everyone who sponsored and participated in the event. Your efforts are going to make a big difference in the lives of the children in our care.

DSTV Community Care More Initiative 2013

DSTV has launched their Community Care initiative for 2013 and I would like to get as many people to vote for Durban Children’s Home as possible.

To find out more about the initiative click on the following link: http://www.multichoice.co.za/multichoice/view/multichoice/en/page44183

All you need to do is SMS the word CARE and Durban Children’s Home to 32512 for us to stand a chance to receive a R200,000.00 donation.

Please would you all vote and circulate this appeal to your contact lists (you will need to be a subscriber to DSTV to qualify).

Thank you, from all the children, staff and management!