#Journeyto100years: Benoni Child Welfare has protected children for 97 years

Henry and Henrietta Terblanche founded the organisation, which was originally based in Harper Avenue.

June 9, 2021

Terry-Ann Diergaardt 1 minute read

Vanessa Carelse, director of GBCW, with old paper clippings of stories covered by the City Times.

The Greater Benoni Child Welfare (GBCW) has been committed to serve and protect the needs and interest of all vulnerable children for 97 years, since its establishment in 1924.

Henrietta Terblanche founded the organisation, which was originally based in Harper Avenue, and in 1983 the GBCW moved to where they are now in Northmead.

The organisation provides services which include:

• Preventative services

• Statutory services

• Intake services

• Crisis intervention

• Mediation

• Foster care supervision

• Support groups: parenting skills, teen and foster parents

• Investigation of child abuse and neglect

• Community project

• Colin House Child and Youth Care Centre

The services they offer have changed since their establishment, as the organisation was also involved in child adoption, which is no longer done by the organisation.

Their programmes were extended in 1992 when Colin House was built and in 2003 Colin House was extended to home 20 children.

Vanessa Carelse, director of GBCW, said making a difference is why the organisation exists.

“For us, it is not about the money, it is about the passion and wanting to make a difference. Every morning they report here for duty and some days are not as great, but they go out into the community to show they care.”

The organisation has 25 staff members, which include eight social workers and five social auxiliary workers.