MANAGERS REPORT
November 2024
Reflecting on 2024
2024 was a busy year at Durbanville Children’s Home. We had many challenges, but these were overshadowed by the strategic goals we were able to achieve.
Our children have performed exceptionally well on the sport fields.
- We won the Future Champions Athletic Competition, where we competed against six other Child and Youth Care Centres.
- 6 of our children were chosen for the WP Wrestling championships. They participated in the SA Championship and were awarded 3 gold and 1 bronze medal.
- We won the Soccer Friendly 2024 cup.
Sustainability is one of our biggest challenges and we are consistently looking for additional streams of income.
Our charity shop and bookshop have grown into a fully fletched business, grossing R191 000 on average per month! We added a coffee, boerewors roll and sweets station to the existing charity shop. We expanded the bookshop by adding an additional room – creating a space for booklovers to relax in and a space to hire out.
We have also started a vegetable garden on site producing vegetables for our own use and as an additional source of income.
All our children have experienced trauma at some point in their young lives, sometimes leading to socially unacceptable and aggressive behavior. This may result in poor academic performance, low self-esteem and poorly developed social skills. Currently we have three social workers, each having a case load of 48 children. They form the core of the multi-disciplinary team that looks after our children’s mental health. Additionally, we appointed a social worker who focusses primarily on providing therapeutic intervention to our children, addressing their childhood trauma resulting from abandonment, neglect, and various forms of abuse.
We are reaching the completion of the project to revamp the 12 house units on site. We had to make use of our reserves to fund this project, but this is a project that we needed to do. The children’s reaction to their new spaces is priceless.
One of our biggest challenges is transport as our children attend 42 schools. Peter and Gail Fabritius blessed us with a Honda Ballade and a Mercedez 22-seater bus – we are sincerely thankful!
No disciplinary matters arose over the past four months. We give employees the opportunity to learn and grow through feedback, and they understand that professional conduct towards other employees and our children is non-negotiable.
We have managed to retain sufficient funds to always provide a stable financial base.
We have seen a decrease in incidents that we had to report to the Department of Social Services, clearly showing that our children understand and act according to the rules and regulations of Durbanville Children’s Home.
Our vision for 2025
- To convert a space on site into a netball field.
- To create beautiful room spaces for our children.
- To expand the therapeutic services to our children.
- To paint the exterior of the Children’s Home.
I am blessed to be the Manager of Durbanville Children’s Home with a board that encourages and supports me.
Peace and joy to you and your family this holiday season!
Johanna Strauss
Manager: Durbanville Children’s Home