In South Africa, we’re a nation with close to 19 million children under the age of 18. But for far too many, childhood is marked by hardship, loss, and instability. Today, about 2.8 million children in our country are orphans. Of these, more than 580,000 have lost both parents. Add to that nearly 4.5 million children living without either parent at home, and the scale of the crisis becomes heartbreakingly clear. Behind every number is a child – a life disrupted, a story that matters.
Why Are Children Taken into Care?
Children enter care for many different reasons. Often, it’s not a lack of love – but rather a lack of safety, stability, or resources.
The most common reasons include:
• Loss of parents, often due to illness such as HIV/AIDS or other long-term conditions
• Neglect and abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual harm
• Domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental illness in the home
• Extreme poverty, which leaves many families unable to care for their children’s basic needs
When home is no longer a safe place, the Children’s Court may place a child into foster care, kinship care, or a registered Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) – like ours.
The Numbers Behind the Reality
South Africa has between 306 and 345 registered CYCCs, housing around 21,000 children. In addition, over 1.5 million children are cared for by extended family members through informal kinship arrangements.
Around 400,000 children are in official foster care, many supported through government child grants. A significant number of children remain in care until they turn 18 – the legal age of adulthood.
Unfortunately, many never return home.
The systems intended to help them often fall short, and too many young adults leave care unprepared for the realities of the world. Studies show that:• Over 75% of care-leavers earn below minimum wage.
1 in 3 are not in education, employment, or training a year after leaving care. Without proper aftercare, they are at high risk of homelessness, unemployment, and trauma relapse.
How Durbanville Children’s Home Supports Our Children
At Durbanville Children’s Home, we walk this journey with our children – not just until they’re 18, but far beyond. We are more than a safe place – we are a home. A place of healing. A community that believes every child deserves to thrive. And a place of comfort they are always welcomed back into, far after their time with us is over.
Huis Andrag: Preparing for Independence
Our satellite house, Huis Andrag, acts as a bridging home for our older children. Here, we guide them toward independence by helping them learn essential life skills – like cooking, budgeting, and time management – while still receiving daily support and mentorship. It’s a space where mistakes are learning moments, and small victories are celebrated.
Rebuilding Family Bonds
Wherever possible – and always in accordance with court orders – we work hard to reunite children with their families. We believe in the power of family, and we honour the emotional connections our children hold.
We do this by:
• Hosting family visits at our home
• Arranging weekend and school holiday stays with relatives
• Sending food packs to help ease the burden on families
• Supporting regular communication between children and their biological parents
Rebuilding these bonds takes time, care, and trust – but we believe it’s worth every effort.
Healing Through Therapy
Most of our children have experienced trauma – and so healing is central to everything we do. We provide:
• Trauma counselling
• Play therapy for younger children
• Psychotherapy for emotional and behavioural supportWe help children make sense of their pain, build emotional resilience, and move forward in life with strength and confidence.
Supporting Growth and Potential
We are passionate about giving every child the chance to dream again. That’s why we support:
• Academic success, through tutoring and school readiness programs
• Sport and recreation, helping children discover teamwork, discipline, and joy
• Creative outlets like music, art, and hobbies – so children can express themselves and explore their identity
We aim to raise well-rounded, confident young people who know that their past does not define their future.
What Can YOU Do?
You can help us make a lasting difference.
Donate: Your support helps us provide therapy, meals, school supplies, and more.
Volunteer: Whether it’s tutoring, mentorship, or just showing up – your time matters.
Share: Use your voice to raise awareness and tell others about the work being done.
Every act of kindness is a step toward giving our children the future they deserve.
A Hopeful Tomorrow
At Durbanville Children’s Home, we believe that no child is too far gone, and no wound is too deep to heal. Every child deserves love, belonging, and the chance to build a future they’re proud of.
Together – with our community- we can build that future.
It stops with ME. And starts with US.