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67 Minutes, 144 Reasons: Celebrating Mandela Day

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Every July, South Africans pause to remember a man who spent his life in service of others, and to ask a simple but powerful question: what will I do with my 67 minutes? This Mandela Day, we’re inviting our community to turn that question into action for the children in our care. Where Mandela Day Comes From Nelson Mandela International Day is marked every year on 18 July, Madiba’s birthday. It was formally declared by the United Nations in November 2009 and first celebrated in 2010, in recognition of a life spent fighting for freedom, reconciliation, and human dignity. The idea behind the day is beautifully simple. Mandela dedicated 67 years of his life to public service, as an activist, a political prisoner, and eventually South Africa’s first democratically elected president. In honour of that legacy, the campaign asks each of us to give just 67 minutes of our time to helping others, symbolising those 67 years. But Mandela Day was never meant to be a single day of feel-good gestures. As Mandela himself said, it is a call for people everywhere to “take action and inspire change”, not just on 18 July, but all year round. It’s a reminder that small, consistent acts of service, multiplied across a community, can shift the course of someone’s life. Why This Day Matters So Much to a Home Like Ours For organisations like ours, Mandela Day isn’t just symbolic; it’s tangible. It’s the one day a year when our whole community turns its attention, at the same time, to the children who need it most. The children in our care don’t need grand gestures. They need consistency: a full stomach, a warm blanket in winter, a pencil that works, a school bag that doesn’t have holes in it. They need to know that when things are hard, someone in this community is showing up for them. Mandela Day gives us a moment to say, out loud, that these children are not invisible. It gives businesses, families, schools and individuals a reason to stop and ask how they can help, giving us the platform to show just how far even a small contribution can go. Three Ways to Get Involved This Year This Mandela Day, we’re introducing three different ways you or your organisation can make a difference, designed so that everyone, whatever their time, budget or capacity, can take part. 1. Impact Drop Put together practical, ready-to-use packs that go straight into the hands of our children: This option is perfect for individuals, families, or teams who want a hands-on way to give — pack it yourself, drop it off, and know exactly where your contribution is going. 2. Sponsor a Day Not everyone has time to shop and pack, and that’s okay. With Sponsor a Day, you or your company can contribute financially at whatever level suits your capacity, covering the real costs of running a home: meals, care, electricity, transport, and the hundred small things that keep a household of children running smoothly every single day. Whether it’s a personal contribution or a company-wide initiative, every rand sponsored keeps our doors open and our children fed, safe, and supported. CHOOSE YOUR IMPACT CARE CONTRIBUTORFrom R2,500Support essential daily needs such as food, toiletries, and basic care.Helps ensure no child goes without the basics. HOUSE SPONSORFrom R5,000Sponsor a house unit for the day, contributing towards meals, snacks, and daily care for a group of children.Creates a day of comfort, care, and normality. IMPACT PARTNERFrom R10,000Extend your impact across multiple house units and support broader needs within the Home.Reaches more children and strengthens the care we provide. LEGACY PARTNERR20,000+Make a lasting impact by supporting the Home on a larger scale, including priority needs and ongoing care.Creates meaningful change beyond Mandela Day. WHAT YOU RECEIVE 3. The DCH Challenge This is where we turn the spirit of Mandela Day into a movement. We’re challenging you to challenge your friends, family, and colleagues to rally around the number 67, in whichever way works for you: Start your own challenge, tag the people you’re nominating, and watch how quickly a simple idea can ripple outward into real impact. Why Every Contribution Counts It’s easy to assume that a donation of R67 or a single toiletry pack won’t make much difference. But multiply that by a hundred people, a thousand people, and suddenly a child has a full pack of school supplies, a home has enough winter blankets to get through July, and a group of children knows that an entire community stood up for them on the same day. That’s the real power of Mandela Day: not one enormous gesture, but thousands of small ones, given freely, adding up to something extraordinary. As Madiba reminded us, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” This July, we invite you to make that difference with us — 67 minutes, 67 items, R67, or however you choose to show up. Every single contribution changes a child’s day, and often, a child’s life. Ready to take part? Choose your way to give — Impact Drop, Sponsor a Day, or the DCH Challenge — and join us in honouring Mandela’s legacy the way he’d have wanted: through action.

Stories

What 14 Years with Traumatised Children Has Taught Me

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By Portia Smith (Child and Youth Care Worker) Working with children in care means you’re holding stories most adults couldn’t carry. Every child I’ve looked after has come to me with some form of trauma. Some have learned how to hold it together on the outside. Others fall apart the moment they feel safe enough to let go. But no matter how they cope, we keep trying. We keep showing up. In this line of work, you often become the punching bag for pain that isn’t yours. You take the anger, the distrust, the frustration that they don’t know how to direct anywhere else. It’s not personal, but it feels personal in the moment. What I’ve learned is that the response isn’t to pull away or meet anger with anger. The response is to go down to their level, sit with them, and be present. Half the time they don’t need a speech. They don’t need you to fix everything right there. They need to know that you hear them, that you see them, and that you’re not going to disappear when things get messy. For a child who’s grown up feeling invisible, just being witnessed changes something. What’s kept me in this field for 14 years is the relationships you build. Not by pretending to be their friend in a casual sense, but by building a friendship rooted in respect, love, and care that goes both ways. It can’t be one-sided. They need to know I’m not just here because it’s my job. They need to know I’m here because I care about them as a person, not just their behavior or their file. The hardest part of this work is bringing a child back to childhood when it was taken from them. I’ve worked with kids who were forced into motherly and fatherly duties long before they should have had to. At 8, 9, 10 years old they were cooking meals, calming younger siblings, mediating fights, and holding the household together because the adults couldn’t. Teaching those children that it’s okay to stop adulting is harder than you’d think. You’re asking them to unlearn survival. You’re asking them to let go of responsibility they’ve carried for years and trust that someone else will hold it now. That doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in small moments — when they realize it’s safe to laugh without worrying, to play without guilt, to be messy and loud and carefree without being punished for it. Helping a child reclaim their childhood is slow, patient work, but it’s some of the most important work we do. Then there’s the trauma that comes from home: parents fighting constantly, alcohol abuse, growing up in environments where chaos and violence felt normal. The hardest part isn’t just living through it. It’s unlearning what they thought was right. When a child grows up watching parents fight and use alcohol to cope, that becomes their blueprint for relationships and conflict. It becomes what they believe love looks like, what they believe adulthood looks like. Undoing that takes more than telling them “that’s wrong.” You have to show them, over and over, what healthy looks like. You have to give them experiences that contradict everything they believed was true, and sit with them through the discomfort of realizing that some of what they learned at home was actually harm. Unlearning that takes time, and it takes a lot of patience when they slip back into old patterns because it’s all they’ve ever known. It’s messy work. It’s exhausting work. And there are days you feel like you’re failing more than you’re winning. But it matters. At the same time, love without responsibility doesn’t help them grow. Part of caring for these kids is teaching them right from wrong, and helping them understand their role in their own healing and in the space we share. We give them room to be kids again, but we also teach them accountability, respect, and how to care for others. Boundaries and love aren’t opposites. They work together. Above all, my job is to make sure every child in my care feels heard, loved, and cared for. Because when a child feels safe enough to be heard, that’s when trust starts. And when trust starts, healing becomes possible. To anyone else doing this work: I know how heavy it gets. I know how easy it is to take it home with you and wonder if it’s making a difference. It is. Even on the days they push you away, even on the days it feels like nothing is changing, you’re giving them something they’ve never had before — consistency, safety, and the chance to just be a kid. That matters more than you know.

Why fundraising events are important to NPOs
Blog

One Evening of Fundraising Can Make a Lifetime of Difference

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For many people, a fundraising event may seem like just another gala dinner, golf day, market, auction, or community gathering. But for non-profit organisations like Durbanville Children’s Home, these events are so much more than a date on the calendar. They are moments where communities come together to create real and lasting change. Behind every ticket purchased, every raffle entry, every auction bid, and every sponsorship lies something much bigger – the opportunity to provide safety, stability, support, and hope to children who need it most. The Reality Behind Fundraising Events at Children’s Homes While financial support is a crucial part of any NPO’s sustainability, fundraising events also create awareness, connection, and opportunity. They allow people to step into our world, hear our stories, meet our community, and better understand the realities faced by children in residential care. These events help bridge the gap between simply “knowing about” a children’s home and truly becoming part of its support system. Every event contributes towards helping us continue providing: The reality is that while many of our children’s basic needs are met, the ongoing costs of quality care are significant and community support remains essential in helping us continue offering children the opportunities and care they deserve. It Takes a Community to Raise Hope One of the most valuable aspects of fundraising events is the sense of connection they create. For organisations like Durbanville Children’s Home, these events are not only about raising funds, they are about bringing people together around a shared purpose. They create spaces where businesses, families, donors, volunteers, community members, and supporters can connect, build relationships, and become part of something bigger than themselves. Every conversation shared over a dinner table, every partnership formed, and every returning guest helps strengthen the network of people standing behind our children. Our events also give us the opportunity to celebrate and thank the many individuals and organisations who continuously walk this journey with us. From sponsors and donors to volunteers and local businesses, the support we receive throughout the year plays a vital role in helping us continue our work. Fundraising events allow us to pause for a moment and acknowledge the incredible generosity of the people who make a difference behind the scenes every single day. You Don’t Have to Be a Sponsor to Make an Impact There is often a misconception that fundraising events are only for large companies, major donors, or corporate sponsors. The reality is that every person who attends contributes to the impact of the evening. Whether you purchase a single ticket, bring a group of friends, bid in an auction, support a raffle, or simply show up and engage with the cause, your presence matters. We want our events to feel welcoming, meaningful, and accessible to the wider community, because real change happens when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things. Attending a fundraising event is also a chance to: For many guests, attending one event becomes the beginning of a lasting relationship with our home and the children we care for. Let’s Look Back at past Fundraising Events Over the years, we have been privileged to host and be part of many meaningful fundraising initiatives that have helped make a lasting impact. From elegant gala evenings and exciting auctions to family markets, golf days, awareness campaigns, and community-driven events, every single initiative has played a role in supporting the work we do each day. These events are made possible through the generosity of sponsors, donors, volunteers, businesses, and attendees who continue choosing to invest in the lives of vulnerable children. Look back on our past events More Than an Evening Out Every event ticket purchased helps create opportunities for children in our care, but it also helps build a stronger, more compassionate community around them. When people attend our events, they are not simply supporting a fundraiser. They are helping create an environment where children feel seen, valued, encouraged, and supported by the community around them. That sense of belonging and collective care is something truly powerful. Join Us at Our Upcoming Events We would love for you to be part of our upcoming events and initiatives. Whether you are attending for the first time, returning as a long-time supporter, joining as a business partner, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, there is a place for you in our community. Check out our upcoming events To book, please email Louise at dchome.org.za For additional sponsorship opportunities, or event information, visit:Durbanville Children’s Home Together, we can continue creating brighter futures for the children in our care — one event, one connection, and one act of generosity at a time.

Blog

Easter, Faith, and Lunch Boxes of Love

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Easter is one of the most meaningful times of the year for us as a Christian children’s home. It is a season rooted in hope, sacrifice, and unconditional love—values that shape everything we do, every day. As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we are reminded not only of the message of Christ’s resurrection, but also of the calling to care for those in need. This is at the heart of our mission, and it is why initiatives like our Fill a Lunch Box with Love 2026 campaign matter so deeply. 👉 Learn more about our mission and values here: About Us Why Easter Matters to Us As a Christian organisation, Easter is more than a holiday—it is a time of reflection and gratitude. We spend this season: For many of the children in our home, this is also a time where they experience the warmth of family, tradition, and belonging, sometimes for the very first time. Living Out Our Christian Values Our work is guided by Christian principles of compassion, generosity, and service. We believe in showing love not only through words, but through action. This means: Easter is a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. The Reality: Empty Lunch Boxes While Easter is a joyful time, it also highlights a difficult reality—many children go to school with empty lunch boxes. For a child, this can mean: 👉 Read more about child hunger and its impact:[South African child welfare or nutrition statistics] This is where our Fill a Lunch Box with Love 2026 campaign comes in. What Is “Fill a Lunch Box with Love 2026”? Our 2026 campaign is a simple yet impactful way for our community to make a real difference during the Easter season and beyond. We invite you to help us fill lunch boxes with: Each item donated in 2026 will go directly toward ensuring that a child has something to eat during their school day. It’s more than just food—it’s dignity, care, and the reminder that someone is thinking of them. How You Can Get Involved There are several ways you can support this Easter: 1. Donate Lunch Box ItemsContribute snacks and food items that can be packed into lunch boxes for our 2026 campaign. 2. Make a Financial ContributionMonetary donations help us purchase exactly what is needed for the children throughout 2026.👉 [Donate Here] 3. Spread the WordShare our campaign with friends, family, and your wider network.👉 [Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok] 4. Partner With UsBusinesses and organisations can get involved through bulk donations or sponsorships.👉 [Events Packages] A Season of Giving, A Lasting Impact Easter reminds us that love is not just something we feel—it’s something we do. By supporting the Fill a Lunch Box with Love 2026 campaign, you are helping us live out that love in a practical, meaningful way. You are ensuring that no child in our care has to face their school day hungry. 👉 See the impact your support makes:[Impact Stories] Together, we can turn empty lunch boxes into symbols of hope. Join Us This Easter We invite you to be part of this journey in 2026. Whether through a donation, a partnership, or simply sharing our message, your support helps us continue the work we are so passionate about. 👉 Take the next step today: Because every child deserves to feel cared for, nourished, and loved.

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Welcome to 2026: A Year of Hope, Growth & Community at Durbanville Children’s Home

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As we step into 2026, we do so with hearts full of gratitude, renewed purpose, and big dreams for the year ahead. A new year always brings fresh opportunities, and at Durbanville Children’s Home, it represents another chapter in our ongoing commitment to provide safety, stability, and hope to the 144 children in our care. We are incredibly thankful to our community, donors, volunteers, partners, and staff who continue to walk this journey with us. Because of your support, we are able to look ahead with confidence and excitement. Our Key Goals for 2026 As we move forward into 2026, our goals are bold, necessary, and deeply rooted in the long-term wellbeing of our children. Each focus area below plays a critical role in strengthening the foundation of our home. 1. Huis Andrag Upgrade & Revamp One of our most urgent priorities for 2026 is the upgrade of Huis Andrag, our youth development and transition programme. This space plays a vital role in preparing our older children for adulthood and independence. Here, we prepare our school leavers for the real world, teaching them skills such as cooking, cleaning, money management and CV writing. This programme is a vital stepping stone for those preparing to leave our care. Completing this revamp will allow us to offer a safer, more functional, and empowering environment where young people can gain essential life skills, confidence, and direction for the future. 2. Children’s Activity Hall Upgrade Our activity hall is a central hub of life at Durbanville Children’s Home. It is used for: At present, the space is not practical or fit for purpose. In 2026, we aim to transform it into a holistic, functional, and welcoming environment that truly supports emotional development, creativity, and connection. 3. Strengthening Sibling Relationships Sibling bonds are incredibly important, especially for children who have experienced trauma or loss. This year, we are committed to increasing intentional sibling outings and shared experiences, ensuring that these relationships remain strong, nurturing, and secure. 4. Capacity Building & Staff Development While our staff are trained and qualified, we believe our children deserve nothing less than excellence. In 2026, we will invest further in: By strengthening our team, we strengthen the care our children receive every day. 2026 Event Calendar: What’s Coming Up Our events play a vital role in raising funds, building community, and sharing the heart of our home. Below is a breakdown of our key events for 2026. Concert – March 2026 | Barnyard Theatre, Tygervalley Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment at the Barnyard Theatre, Tygervalley, all in support of the children of Durbanville Children’s Home. This year’s theme – ABSOLUTE 80s! This concert promises great vibes, incredible talent, and a meaningful cause. 👉 Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment and support our children through the power of live music. Online Auction – 29 September 2026 | WhatsApp Fundraiser Our first online auction of 2026 will take place via WhatsApp and is guaranteed to feature exciting, high-quality items up for grabs, from the comfort of your couch. Grab that night cap, and but your best bidding foot forward. Expect amazing lots generously donated by our supporters. 👉 Join the WhatsApp auction group via the link above, and don’t forget to submit your details to the number provided in the group description. Annual Ball – 31 May 2026 | Flagship Fundraising Event The Annual Ball is Durbanville Children’s Home’s flagship fundraising event and a highlight on our yearly calendar. Guests can expect an elegant night of fine food, live entertainment, appreciation, and powerful storytelling, all while raising essential funds to support the children in our care. 👉 Secure your table or sponsorship and be part of an unforgettable evening that changes lives. Annual Ladies Event – 29 August 2026 | Mistico Equestrian Centre Our much-loved Annual Ladies Event is a celebration of the women who make a meaningful difference in our home and community. This special day pays tribute to the incredible ladies who support Durbanville Children’s Home, as well as the women who work tirelessly to keep our home running every single day. 👉 Gather your gals and join us for a day of inspiration, connection, and celebration. Annual Golf Day – 1 October 2026 | Durbanville Golf Course End off the year’s fundraising events with our Annual Golf Day, a relaxed and enjoyable day out on the course. Enjoy a fun day on the greens, followed by dinner and great company, all in support of a worthy cause. 👉 Enter a team, sponsor a hole, or donate prizes and help us drive change for our children. Be Part of Our 2026 Journey Internal Links You Can Add on Your Website: Every event attended, every donation made, and every story shared helps us move closer to our goals. As we step into 2026, we invite you to stand with us as we build safer spaces, stronger relationships, and brighter futures for our children. Together, we can make this year one of meaningful impact and lasting change.

Blog

YEAR IN REVIEW: A YEAR OF GRATITUDE, GROWTH & COMMUNITY

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As we reflect back on the year that has passed, our hearts are filled with nothing but gratitude. Every event, every partnership, every sponsor and every person who chose to stand beside us this year reminded us that this work, caring, guiding and building futures for our children, is not carried alone. We carry it together. This year showed us again what is possible when compassion becomes action, when community becomes family, and when hope becomes a shared mission. ANNUAL BALL – MAY 2025 Hosted at the beautiful Eensgezind venue, our Great Gatsby themed Annual Ball set the tone for the year. A night of elegance, live music and celebration, but most importantly, a night of gratitude for those who make our work at the home possible. The incredible Moonshine Band had the crowd dancing, Success Lekabe led the evening as our charismatic MC, and none other than Barry Hilton took the stage as our auctioneer. AV Staging Workx lit up the venue with immaculate screens and lighting, AVZ Décor transformed the room into classic 1920s glamour, and Bus Cuisine served a menu that absolutely wowed our guests. A deeply moving highlight was when the City of Cape Town and Mayor Gordin Hill Lewis generously donated R150,000 towards the Home. This moment symbolized support beyond funding, it represented belief. Belief in our children. Belief in our mission. Belief in the future we are actively building. LADIES BREAKFAST – AUGUST Hosted at Mistico Equestrian Centre, our “Ready To Flamingle” themed Ladies Breakfast celebrated the fierce and phenomenal women who hold up our Home; mothers, caregivers, donors, sponsors, volunteers and our girls who are becoming strong young women right before our eyes. Kos Kouture served exquisite meals, AV Staging Works and AVZ Decor elevated the space into pink, playful vibrance, Mel die Storieverteller left the room in stitches and tears, and Guy McDonald alongside Success Lekabe made the morning unforgettable. It was a morning of giggles, friendship, softness, connection… and reminder that women carry so many worlds on their shoulders. And this morning, we carried theirs too. FUNDRAISING CONCERT – OCTOBER This year marked a very special milestone as we hosted our first ever fundraising concert in collaboration with Barnyard Theatre Tygervalley, and what an incredible success it was. We journeyed through the best of 20th vs. 21st century music and the room was electric. We danced, we laughed, we sang, we celebrated nostalgia and created new memories all in one night. We sold out 90% of our tickets and the response was so overwhelming, so meaningful and so full of community unity that we are thrilled to share that this concert will officially be returning next year. This event was more than entertainment. This event was awareness, visibility and celebration, and it reminded us how powerful shared experiences can be for impact. ANNUAL GOLF DAY – OCTOBER Our Annual Golf Day at Durbanville Golf Club was a bright, energetic and unforgettable day from sunrise to long after the last putt. With more than 20 sponsored wet holes across the course, partners like Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, Jive and JKL Holdings brought extraordinary generosity and spirit. Guy McDonald led as MC and Auctioneer as the day rolled seamlessly into a festive evening celebration of good food, great laughs and community giving. Through auction bids and pledges, we raised close to R100,000 towards the upgrade of Huis Andrag – our satellite home in Kraaifontein. Every single one of those contributions leads to real transformation, tangible change and improved living spaces for our young people. If you would like to contribute to the upgrade of our Satellite home, the bridge between institutionalisation and the real world for our school leavers, please feel free to make a donation HERE As We Close This Year… Every event was more than just a date on a calendar.Every event was a brick in the foundation of a stronger future for our children. This has been a year of doors opening. A year of favour. A year where we felt the arms of community wrap around our Home again and again. As we look ahead to 2026 We step into the new year with intention, renewed purpose and expectation, that the same community who stood beside us this year will continue to walk with us into what comes next. We are dreaming boldly. Planning for more impact. Building better environments for our children. Preparing for stories yet to unfold. But before this year closes… We invite you to consider ending the year with a gift from the heart.Your year-end support fuels the final months of provision, stabilises our January transition period, and sets us up strong for the start of 2026. Whether it is a donation, a pledge, a new partnership or a simple share forward of our work, your contribution will create real, lasting, meaningful impact in the lives of our children. Thank you for standing with us.Thank you for believing in us.And thank you for giving our children a home, filled with love, belonging, opportunity and hope.

Blog

Future Champions 20th Year Event: Celebrating Athletic Talent in Children’s Homes

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What is the Future Champions Sports Event? On 20th September 2025, Bernadino Heights School became the stage for one of the most anticipated youth sporting events in Cape Town—the 20th annual Future Champions event, hosted by Durbanville Children’s Home. The Future Champions sports day was first introduced in 2005 with a simple but powerful goal: to bring together children from different children’s homes in the area and give them the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities, build friendships, and feel celebrated. Many children living in care homes face difficult circumstances, often feeling isolated or set apart from their peers in the community. Future Champions was created to change that narrative. It gives children the chance to be spotlighted for their talents, to share in the joy of competition, and to experience a day where they are united in celebration rather than defined by their challenges. The History and Legacy of Future Champions Over the past two decades, Future Champions has grown into far more than just a sporting event—it has become a tradition of unity, pride, and empowerment. Since its inception, the day has brought together thousands of children from homes across the region, offering them an experience that is both uplifting and unforgettable. The event has always been about more than winning medals or trophies. It’s about children learning the values of teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. For many, it’s also the first time they’ve had the opportunity to compete in front of cheering crowds, with their achievements celebrated and their efforts recognised. As Durbanville Children’s Home celebrates 20 years of this special event, it is clear that the vision planted in 2005 has blossomed into something extraordinary. Highlights of the 2025 Future Champions Event This year’s edition of Future Champions was filled with excitement, determination, and heart. The competition saw participation from six homes: Children competed in a variety of athletic activities that showcased their speed, strength, and endurance. The energy on the field was electric, with cheers echoing from teammates and supporters as each race, jump, and throw unfolded. The competition was thrilling right to the end. In a nail-biting finish, Durbanville Children’s Home clinched the win by just 2 points. HAM followed closely in second place, while Herberg proudly secured third. While the results brought joy and celebration, what stood out most was the spirit of camaraderie and encouragement. Children celebrated each other’s victories, cheered loudly for their competitors, and walked away with smiles and stories to last a lifetime. Why Children’s Sports Days Like Future Champions Matter Events like Future Champions are about far more than a single day of sport. They are about creating belonging and building confidence in children who may otherwise feel overlooked. Sports have a unique ability to teach life lessons. Through competition, children learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Through participation, they feel valued, supported, and celebrated. And through community gatherings like this, they are reminded that they are not alone in their journeys. For Durbanville Children’s Home and the other participating homes, Future Champions is also a chance to shine a light on the resilience and strength of the children in their care. It is a day that says: “You matter. Your talents matter. And your community is here to celebrate you.” Thank You to Our Future Champions Sponsors The success of the Future Champions 20th Year event would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you goes to: Your contributions meant that every child could participate fully, without worry, and with the energy needed to give their best. We are deeply grateful for your support in making this milestone event possible. How You Can Support Future Champions Future Champions is not just a once-off celebration—it is an annual event that continues to bring joy and empowerment to children year after year. To ensure its continued success, we rely on the support of our incredible community of donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Here are some ways you can get involved: Every contribution, whether big or small, makes a tangible difference in giving these children a day they will never forget. The Future of Future Champions As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Future Champions, we look to the future with excitement and hope. The event has become a pillar of connection and celebration for children from across the region, and we are determined to keep growing it year after year. With the help of sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, Future Champions can continue to shine a light on the talents, resilience, and joy of children in care homes for decades to come. If you would like to be part of this life-changing event, please reach out to Durbanville Children’s Home at kv1@dchome.org.za. Together, we can ensure that Future Champions continues to inspire, uplift, and celebrate children for the next 20 years—and beyond. For more info on what we do at Durbanville Children’s Home, please visit www.durbanvillekinderhuis.org.za

Reports

August 2025

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Message from the Facility Manager – Durbanville Children’s Home As Manager of Durbanville Children’s Home, I am proud to say that we have built a organisation to be proud of. Both our Annual Financial Audit and the three-year Department of Social Development audit were completed with minimal queries, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Our growing reserves stand as a testament to our continued commitment to ensuring DCH’s long-term sustainability. I would like to highlight some key achievements and initiatives: Therapeutic Services Growth I am particularly proud of the growth of our therapeutic component. Currently, 59 children benefit from these services and thoroughly enjoy the extra time and support provided. Through this initiative, we have also contributed to the broader community by training five Social Work students. Our therapists conduct both group and individual sessions at our bridging house, supporting children as they transition from structured care to independent living — a challenge we continue to address. Additionally, our therapist is actively upskilling through courses to enhance the support provided to our children. Supporting Children Beyond Care We owe it to our children and funders to ensure that those in our care can one day build better lives than the ones they were removed from. The Children’s Act outlines our role as a Child and Youth Care Centre: we provide statutory care for children until 18, with the option to extend until 21 if the young person is still completing their matric. While long-term stays in a structured environment offer safety and stability, they can also lead to “institutionalisation,” where children become accustomed to routine and have limited opportunities to make their own decisions. Some of our children have nowhere to go when leaving our care, causing great anxiety. Although finding work placements and creating opportunities for further study is not part of the statutory requirements of the Children’s Act, leaving young people to fend for themselves after care remains a real concern. Work Readiness and Practical Skills Training To address this, we have implemented several initiatives: • On-site Work Programs: Young people who leave school early participate in work programs within our Maintenance or Marketing departments. • They begin with four-hour workdays for two months, gradually progressing to full- day schedules. They receive a stipend in line with labor laws, and we assist them in securing employment within the community when ready. • Holiday Work Opportunities: We actively partner with companies to provide children in their final year at DCH with holiday job opportunities. During the June/July and December holidays, children aged 16 to 18 who remained at the facility successfully participated in this program, receiving basic wages and managing their earnings independently. Feedback from both the children and employers was very positive, and the program will continue in future. These initiatives demonstrate DCH’s commitment to going beyond the call of duty to support our children in building independent, meaningful lives. Thank you for your ongoing support on this sometimes challenging, but always inspiring journey. Johanna Strauss Facility Manager: Durbanville Children’s Home

Stories

Portia’s Poem

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A New Journey In halls of care, where young hearts reside,A haven not just for them, but staff inside,A place where love and support never fade,Where colleagues become family, bonds are made. I came with scars, with losses so dear,Private struggles, tears, and lonely fears,But in this home, a new path did unfold,A family found, in colleagues so bold. You saw beyond my worn-out frame,And offered me a chance, a new name,A chance to heal, to grow, to thrive,To find my place, and let love survive. The children smile, their laughter fills the air,Their needs met with kindness, beyond compare,And I, a part of this caring crew,Found solace, comfort, and a love anew. Thank you for this gift, this sacred space,Where hearts are healed, and love’s warm embrace,I’m grateful for the team, my new-found kin,Together we care, and love within. In this children’s home, I’ve found my nest,A place to belong, to rest, to be my best,Thank you for showing me, there’s good in the land,A family found, in this caring band. Written by Portia – a Child and Youth Care Worker at DCH

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A Home Away from Home

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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.

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