No small task
Aberton Child Welfare's battle to raise funds and find help to overcome its crisis is continuing.
ALBERTON – Last week the RECORD reported that the organisation is underfunded by a staggering 70 per cent, by R3 646 640.
It costs the branch R5 200 000 per annum to provide statutory services and the government provides only R1 553 360. This makes them the second most underfunded branch in Ekurhuleni.
Mike Waters, DA Lethabong constituency head, who notified media about the underfunding, met with members of the media and Alberton Child Welfare on May 22, to discuss their needs and the situation. Local DA councillors were also present, to show their support to the organisation.
In the meeting, it was re-affirmed that the Department of Social Development enters into a contract with each Child Welfare office to enable them to provide services to children in need. These services are what the government is obliged to provide to children by law.
NGOs were promised a consistent and reliable source of funding through a centralised Lotto. The reality is that funding from the Lotto is unreliable, which places financial uncertainty on NGOs and now government is failing to fund the services that the organisations provide on their behalf.
Elmarie Kennedy, the director of Alberton Child Welfare, explained that the Lotto ”adopts” organisations that are new, but does not sustain services that are already established.
The Democratic Alliance has written to the South African Human Rights Commission, which is currently investigating the situation.
Those present at the meeting urged residents to sign a petition for government to investigate the underfunding. Residents can go to www.petitions24.com/east_rand_child_welfare to sign the petition in support of Alberton Child Welfare. The petition will be taken to parliament, Waters explained in the meeting.
In the interim, Child Welfare needs as much help as they can get. Kennedy explained that they need funds to help to cover the costs of running the organisation.
She would also welcome anyone willing to get involved with their fund-raising committee.
When discussing the society’s needs it also became clear that they need storage space. As part of their way forward they need an isolated storage container, which will give them the opportunity to store supplies like clothes, nappies and non-perishable foods, like baby formula. At this stage they do not have enough space available for these kinds of donations.
She also mentioned that certain stores have shown their willingness to donate foods, but that one of the prerequisites for these kinds of donations is a cold room, which they do not have.
Kennedy discussed the different programmes they know can work, but, for them to roll out these projects, it is, once again, a question of where to find much needed funds.
Not only are the children and families they serve in need of food and clothing, but, in most cases, professionals are needed to offer these serves. The society relies on various professionals for help; from psychologists to lawyers are involved with the 3 000 odd cases with which they are currently working.
It is clear that Kennedy is grateful for the help they do receive. She explained that they make use of pro bono services, as well as court appointed lawyers and advocates, and that some psychologists help them from time to time.
With only three cars available to them, and a staff of about 25, they find it difficult to provide services to the greater Alberton.
If you would like to help a child in need, visit Child Welfare at 43 First Avenue, in Alberton North, or phone Kennedy on 011 907 3004/5 or 083 367 5843.
