16 June marks a turning point in our country. It’s a day we commemorate the Soweto Uprising, a peaceful student protest that turned violent in 1976.
Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the new democratic government declared 16 June as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month.
Youth Day is more than just a public holiday. It’s a time to celebrate the diversity of South Africa and its future generations, because as Whitney Houston exuberantly sings: I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.
As we celebrate the 47th anniversary of this significant event in our history and the month as a whole, we turn our attention to our youth in need and those organisations that provide some much-needed care, protection and resources.
Spend Youth Day, part of the long weekend or a moment during Youth Month to spend some time with the children and young adults at these five homes.
If you’re unable to spend some time, then a donation of any kind is always a gesture that’s deeply appreciated.
Vision Child and Youth Care Centre
Vision Child and Youth Care Centre is a non-profit organisation dedicated to aiding children who have been orphaned, abused, abandoned or left destitute.
Their aim is to provide a safe and stable environment in addition to equipping them with the necessary life skills they need to succeed.
The Care Centre currently houses approximately 25 residents and at present, those at the centre are aged between one and 23 years.
Visits:
You are more than welcome to come along and spend some time with the residents. Simply, give them a call beforehand to arrange a time that suits both yourself and them.
Donations:
While any and all donations whether financial or tangible are deeply appreciated, the following are items that are most needed at the moment:
- Electricity
- Pyjamas
- Winter essentials
Banking Details:
Account Holder: Vision Child & Youth Care Centre
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Kromboom
Branch Code: 026209
Account No: 628226187
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
- Location: 1 Jackson Crescent, Mountview
- Contact: 021 692 1129
- Website: visionchild.org.za
Darun Naim Orphanage
With its first premises purchased in 2013, Darun Naim Orphanage aims to create an authentic family home environment for the most vulnerable youth in our community.
Upon arrival, there will be no orphanage signage on display nor branded vehicles but simply a normal house with siblings, a mom and a dad.
Thanks to ongoing financial support from the local community, Darun Naim has managed to buy a second home just down the road.
The house run by Aneesa houses six younger children between the ages of five and ten years old and the house run by Sameegah houses six teenagers and one baby.
Click here to meet the children.
Visits:
You are more than welcome to come along and spend some time with the residents. Simply, give them a call beforehand to arrange a time that suits both yourself and them.
Donations:
When asked which items are most needed at the home at the moment, Aneesa said even a small prayer for the children and youth can make the biggest difference.
Banking details:
Nedbank Current Account
Acc no 1027930700
Branch Constantia 101109/00
International EFTs: Swift code NEDSZAJJ
Snapscan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/2wFH2U-9
- Location: 49 and 53 Innis Road, Wynberg
- Contact: 076 104 2022 | 084 224 0190
- Website: darunnaimorphanage.com
Christine Revell Children’s Home
Christine Revell Children’s Home provides full-time care for up to 49 babies and children ranging from birth to five years of age. Referred by social workers or ordered by the children’s court, the children at Christine Revell have endured neglect, abandonment, abuse and/or loss before finding their way home.
Christine Revell aims to create a warm, friendly and homely environment while the kids wait to be placed into foster care with suitable families in the communities or adopted through proper legal channels.
The children at Christine Revell are grouped into three age groups. Group A consists of birth to 18 months, group B comprises kids from 18 months to 2 years of age and group C consists of children between the ages of three and five.
Visits:
You are more than welcome to come along and spend some time with the children during their visiting hours. The morning slot runs from 10am to 11am and the afternoon slot runs from 2:15pm to 3:15pm.
Be sure to give them a call beforehand to make arrangements, and pro-tip, the best time to visit is during the afternoon slot as they have school in the morning.
Donations:
While any and all donations whether financial or tangible are deeply appreciated, the following are items that are most needed at the moment:
- Nappies
- Baby Formula
- Dry groceries
- Winter essentials
Banking Details:
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Athlone
Branch code: 202409
Account No: 5133 1151278
Account Name: Christine Revell Childrens Home
Swift Code: FIRNZA JJ133
- Location: Huntley Street (off Wallis Street), Athlone
- Contact: 021 697 1748
- Website: christinerevellchildrenshome.co.za
St George’s Home for Girls
‘A home-away-from-home’ as the website says, St George’s Home for Girls is a registered residential Child and Youth Care facility that strives to provide an environment that both closely resembles a warm, loving and caring family home, as well as empowers the girls with the necessary skills and knowledge to grow into confident and competent individuals through developmental and therapeutic care.
While all the girls are placed here by the children’s court order due to inadequacy or a complete breakdown in their primary care environment, the girls come from various backgrounds and for various reasons such as neglect and abuse.
Visits:
You are more than welcome to come along and spend some time with the girls. Simply, give them a call beforehand to arrange a time that suits both yourself and them.
Donations:
While any and all donations whether financial or tangible are deeply appreciated, the following are items that are most needed at the moment:
- Socks
- Underwear and vests
- Winter essentials
- Location: 5 Bute Road, Wynberg
- Contact: 021 797 0262
- Website: st-georges.org.za
Compiled by Tauhira Ajam
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