Gauteng Social Development hosts Christmas celebration for vulnerable children
The event featured inspirational stories and life lessons, with a focus on overcoming odds and achieving success.
Gauteng Department of Social Development hosted a Christmas celebration for vulnerable children from NPOs and Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) in the province on December 9.
The event took place at Gold Reef City Theme Park and was filled with excitement and joy.
Over 80 children from state-run and funded CYCCs attended the celebration. Many of these children come from difficult backgrounds and do not have families to celebrate the festive season with. The event provided them with a unique opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day at a theme park, which is often a luxury for them.Most of the children were excited about the rides and enjoyed their first-ever theme park experience.
Inspirational stories and life lessons
Speaking on behalf of Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, the director for Child Care Protection Services, Yvonne Deonarain, shared a background story of actor and producer Tyler Perry.
Deonarain used this example to inspire the children and demonstrate that it is possible to overcome the odds and achieve success.
Perry, who experienced drug abuse, child abuse, gangsterism and gender-based violence during his childhood, went on to become a multi-billionaire. Deonarain encouraged the children to be resilient and stick to education as a weapon of success.
Supporting children’s homes
CYCCs, previously known as Children’s Homes and Orphanages, are registered residential care facilities that cater to children in need of care and protection.
In the province, the Department of Social Development is responsible for providing oversight monitoring for 153 CYCCs, with 10 government-run and 143 NPO-run CYCCs. The Department serves approximately 4,333 children in these homes.
Despite the challenges faced by these institutions, such as financial distress and unpaid government subsidies, the Gauteng Department of Social Development continues to organise events like this Christmas celebration to bring joy and happiness to the children.
