New board chairperson for struggling childcare centre
JOBURG - A NEW board chairperson has been elected at Abraham Kriel Childcare who hopes to bring the venerable organisation out of financial crisis.
Founded in 1902, Abraham Kriel Childcare provides care and protection to more than 1 000 vulnerable children through homes and development programmes in Greater Johannesburg and the East Rand, including the historic Maria Kloppers Children’s Home in Yeoville.
Now, with the help of Lawrence Bongani Mlotshwa, elected chairperson of the board on 24 November, the organisation hopes to emerge triumphant from the financial crisis that threatens its work.
Mlotshwa, who has served on the Abraham Kriel Childcare board since 2003, is an accomplished human resources executive, having worked in this capacity for several corporate institutions. As chairman of the Institute of Bankers, Mlotshwa revived the organisation from bankruptcy into profitability – a good omen for the future of the centre.
At this particularly difficult time in the organisation’s history, Mlotshwa takes over from predecessor George le Roux, who has retired as chairperson after 22 years. Le Roux guided the organisation through enormous transformation, including its amalgamation with the Maria Kloppers Children’s Home, and its assumption of the management of the Emdeni Children’s Home in Soweto, later transformed into a Skills Development Centre for disadvantaged youth.
In the same period, Abraham Kriel Childcare’s services expanded to incorporate home-based care programmes and drop-in centres to children affected by the HIV/Aids pandemic.
Despite current financial difficulties, Mr le Roux leaves the organisation with exceptional management systems and a high level of accountability.
Service on the Abraham Kriel Childcare board is voluntary, and board members shoulder their high levels of responsibility and accountability without compensation of any kind.
It is this dedication that Abraham Kriel Childcare hopes will bring the 112 year-old organisation out of its massive financial crisis. As income sources have reduced over past months, the organisation has been forced to use reserves built up over eight years to sustain its two children’s homes, seven group homes, four HIV/Aids community programmes, skills development centre and early childhood development centre.
The organisation appeals to the community to contribute whatever they can to ensure the continuation of its vital work for the vulnerable of Johannesburg.
