GBCW needs help after tough year

The Greater Boksburg Child Welfare (GBCW) reflected on a challenging 2023/24 AGM on September 14.

Nompumelelo Gidela, the GBCW director, said the period under review was an especially difficult climate for service delivery.

“Funding delays led to severe repercussions, hindering the timely provision of services to those needing care and protection. Our resilience, tenacity and commitment to children shone through despite the challenges,” said Gidela.

The director said the organisation touched the lives of 15 893 beneficiaries (children and their families) through its Child Protection and Asibavikele projects (HIV/Aids ) programmes.

“Services are rendered from three decentralised offices: Boksburg, Reiger Park and Vosloorus.”

Help needed
Gidela said the GBCW calls on private and public businesses to support it in realising its vision of being a leader in achieving a safe and caring environment for all.

“The tools of the trade remain a challenge, like a shortage of vehicles to do home visits, investigations, court/panel attendances and many other social work duties,” said the director.

Gidela said the organisation also needs floor tiles, paint and non-perishable foods for needy children and families.

In his report, Dorry Naidoo, the chairperson of the GBCW, said it was disappointing that the organisation had seen complacent members and volunteers added to the pool and membership.

“We have called upon past and new members to reconsider their roles in the community and society to engage more effectively and volunteer with no expectation of any monetary gain because we are an NPO in partnership with the government. Many members have retired, and some are sick or incapacitated to spend time with us. We applaud those who took up the challenges and efforts and still support us.”

Naidoo appreciated the funders and donors who supported the organisation through hard economic times.

“We faced many challenges with sponsors and donors, such as the National Lottery Board, in pursuing our funding application. We are currently subsidised mainly by the Department of Social Development (DSD), which went through phases of tenure and changes in funding models. The last year saw us engage proactively to secure future

funding. This has impacted our services in the first quarter of 2023. We received a fairly substantial donation from Capitec Bank towards our funding purchase of equipment and accessories for the projects,” he said

He said storms again impacted the GBCW’s infrastructure/offices, which resulted in damages requiring extensive repairs.
“We also lost equipment through theft and burglary.”

Naidoo encouraged public and private enterprises to open their hearts and continue supporting the GBCW.

The Our Keep Me Safe home was vandalised and had to be repaired and restored.

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“This home has been vacant for most of the reporting period and has been sub-let to sustain it in the latter part of the year to offset any undue expenses.

“We submitted our business plan to the DSD for our 2024/2025 financial year last November. We started pursuing the matter in early 2024 and began receiving slack in the latter part of the reporting period of March 2024 concerning the funding model, leading to uncertainty.

“This reporting period has seen high staff turnover, resulting in short periods of vacant posts. Some staff emigrated to greener pastures, mainly in the UK.”
Naidoo said despite the challenges, they continued to expand services into other areas through project-specific programmes led by a team of managers in Youth Development and HIV and Aids Care.

“The Auditor-General’s office did several audits on our services and operations, how we conducted ourselves, and the DSD team, to ensure compliance. We had an opportunity to get help through Child Welfare South Africa, our mother body, to guide, train and provide oversight to our social services team.

“I thank all the staff and your management for their efforts.”

During the AGM, certificates went to these social workers for 10 years of service: Deffney Mashao, Gillian Malatjie and Tryphina Moropo. Another certificate went to Scan Global Logistics, which donated laptops, desks and office chairs.

Also Read: Boksburg Child Welfare receives generous donation