The MEC for social development, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, said she was impressed by the professionalism and the role played by St John’s Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC), ensuring that vulnerable children are taken care of.
On October 13, she visited the centre as part of her compliance monitoring and evaluation exercises in Barberton.
The visit was also aimed at ensuring that children who are the wards of the state are receiving proper care in terms of the programmes outlined in their registration certificates.
St John’s Care Centre is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 as a residential care facility committed to improving the quality of life in situations in which a cure is not achievable. Care is provided for advanced HIV/Aids-infected children in need of a place to stay. The centre also provides an atmosphere to help kids and the youth to live with a positive attitude and to die with dignity, knowing that they are accepted, cared for and loved.
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The centre manager, Rina Mienie, expressed her gratitude to the Department of Social Development (DSD). “I would like to thank the department for always being on our side and the officials who work tirelessly to ensure that we funded and guided in everything we do.”
She said she is looking forward to a long-lasting working relationship with the department.
Ntshalintshali said she was excited to see one of the institutions funded by the department doing very well. “This institution has a board that is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the centre. The finances are in order and there is transparency in everything that has to do with how they spend money. I feel very humbled to be associated with a centre of this kind, as they prioritise the needs of children.”
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The centre forms part of the provincial CYCC forum, which takes place quarterly, at which all the registered child and youth care centres share information on legislations pertaining children in need of care and protection and compliance issues.
DSD’s acting chief director responsible for welfare services, Zodwa Maseko, also confirmed during the evaluation that the centre is one that is doing exceptionally well in the province, funded by the department.
The MEC concluded her visit by handing over dignity packs to St John’s Centre and pledging her support to it.
