TLC’s Children’s new happy home

Managing director Pippa Jarvis said it took them a while to find a place where they felt comfortable.

“The previous property we were on was too big for us and to maintain it was costing a lot of money. We are a charity and rely on donations and the maintenance of the huge property became unsustainable,” said Jarvis.

They had to divert money that could be used for the children to security and maintenance, which according to Jarvis “was ridiculous and unappropriated”.

“Gradually the informal settlement that was near the children’s home started to encroach as well, and the closer it got the more dangerous it became. We have had a lot of problems with crime since 2014.

“In one year we had seven violent attacks with a group of people coming in with guns in a children’s home, which is absurd,” she said.

Securing the home became a huge and costly problem and in 2018 they thought they were about to close down because they didn’t have the resources to move and they could keep themselves safe.

Help at hand

“The world came to our rescue when we announced our closure. People simply pulled together and refused that we close our doors because they consider the work we do as too important. They assisted us and we kept going and identified our new property in 2019 here in Walkerville.”

She told the CHRONICLE that they had to raise funds and by 2020 they bought the property. Then came several hold-ups when Covid-19 hit.

“Fortunately things changed for the better and we managed to move into the new property during this year.
“It was not an easy journey. We went into survival mode and ran on a blended care model, which means we don’t pay a lot of our key workers because they are either interns or volunteers.

“Salaries are expensive. We applied for Covid funding to pay salaries and diverted all our other funds to continue with the renovations at our new home.”

She said the bank could not give them a bond because as a charity they do not have a predictable and stable income. They were assisted by people who reached out and ensured the completion of renovations to their new home.

“We are excited that after all the hard work we have put in that we raised R300 000. So many people supported us, such as a logistic company that helped us move.

“There was also an anonymous donor who matched an amount of R300 000, to double funds.”

Moving forward

She said they are now able to pay salaries.

“Another 30 years of doing good work means a lot to us. The previous month has been difficult but our staff has been amazing and kept on assisting without complaining. They have been patient as we go through the difficult times,” said Jarvis.

They are currently pushing their Adopt a Cot Programme, which is a sustainable programme where people can donate every month starting at R100.

“In exchange, they get an email update of the baby they sponsor. They basically follow the story of the baby in the specific cot they are sponsoring and share in the baby’s journey.”

The home is currently full with 35 babies and they are not taking in babies at the moment.

For more information about TLC Children’s Home and the Adopt a Cot Programme, contact Pippa Jarvis 083 382 0603.