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
Message from our Director
For many of us, the dawning of a new year is time for a fresh start, an opportunity for new beginnings, banishing unhealthy habits, and setting new goals. Here at the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre, as we enthusiastically set our organisational and personal...
RoboGirl 2025 – an incredible opportunity for five of our girls
Five girls from the Durban Child & Youth Care Centre recently had an amazing opportunity ... to participate in RoboGirl 2025. An initiative by the Departments of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), in...
Responsible kitchen waste management research – we’re in!
As you can imagine, providing three meals a day to a 'family' of 70 children generates large quantities of kitchen waste – from eggshells and used teabags to vegetable peelings. So we didn't hesitate when we were invited to participate in a research project aimed at...
This school report made us so proud!
Towards the end of last year, we shared Luca's story with you. He and his sister were among the children who couldn't go home for the holidays, and we wanted to make Christmas special for them. We told you how he had blossomed in the four years since he was placed...
Christmas ‘Angels’ make the festive season a time of wonder and delight for our children
Grateful thanks to Faith Revival Church in Phoenix for spoiling our children with these brightly wrapped gifts. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! We were overwhelmed by your generosity and kindness towards our children over the festive season. You truly made it...
Family Reunification is possible, but it’s not a possibility for everyone!
Every child deserves to grow up in the safety and warmth of a loving home. Yet for many children, life takes a different path—one that leads them to Child and Youth Care Centre’s such as ours. At Durban Child and Youth Care Centre (DCYCC), we believe in the importance...
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