Child Protection Week: Rights of children in orphanages
Do you know of a child in need of care? Government has homes that are referred to as Child and Youth Care Centres which aim to create a safe and nurturing environment.
Over 5 million children worldwide are being raised in orphanages and are there 21 000 children living in the same conditions in South Africa. This is according to Busi Kheswa from the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
These figures were released during Child Protection Week which is celebrated annually. The purpose is to raise awareness regarding the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
“During Child Protection Week, the government calls on all South Africans to support efforts during this time to ensure that the most vulnerable in society do not suffer.
It is in our hands to stop the cycle of neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children. Children in the country live in a society with a constitution that has the highest regard for their rights and the equality and dignity of everyone.
“As a result, protecting children is not only a basic value but also an obligation set out in Article 28 of the constitution,” said Kheswa.
She added to mitigate this, government has homes which are referred to as Child and Youth Care Centres.
In these centres, there are residential facilities that provide care, support and services to vulnerable children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. These centres aim to create a safe and nurturing environment for children, and they offer a range of services to meet their physical, emotional, educational and social needs.
Below are some of the common services rendered at these centres:
• Residential care: The centres offer a safe and stable living environment for children who cannot live with their families. Trained caregivers and staff members provide round-the-clock supervision and support.
• Basic needs: The centres also provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare to ensure the well-being of the children.
• Education and schooling: They also facilitate the education of children by either providing on-site schooling or ensuring their enrolment in nearby schools. They support educational development and may provide additional tutoring or support service.
• Counselling and therapy: Emotional and psychological support is an essential aspect of care at the centres. They offer counselling and therapy services to help children deal with trauma, build resilience and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
• Life skills and social development: According to Kheswa, the centre deals with equipping children with essential life skills, to enhance their personal and social development. This may include programs on decision-making, conflict resolution, vocational training, and recreational activities.
• Family reunification or alternative care: The ultimate goal of the centres is to reintegrate children with their families whenever possible. They work closely with social workers and authorities to explore options for family reunification or alternative care, such as adoption or foster care.
• Aftercare and support: The centres may provide aftercare services to young adults transitioning out of a centre’s care. These services can include assistance with finding employment, accessing further education or training, and ongoing support as they navigate independent living.
However, with all these interventions, the impact is lifelong, and the beneficiaries often leave these centres as young adults who are unprepared to enter the workforce and unprepared for independent living. As a result, the department has partnered with Hope and Homes for Children, an international organisation. They support among others the successful, sustainable and supported transition of youth between the ages of 11 and 21 into independent living within communities.
Deloitte professionals from South Africa will be working with the organisation to support young people transitioning out of the centres, to gain life skills and increase their employability through tailored workshops.
These skills will include empowerment in inspirational speech, career guidance, basic financial literacy, employment readiness, and basic digital literacy. The programme will assist those who are 16 years old and above, to get them ready for the life out of these institutions.
