During my first time here, I have had the opportunity to visit several temporary safe-care families and foster families together with GCF’s social workers. These families—often single mothers—have willingly opened their homes to children in need of safety, love, and care. They offer not only a secure environment, but also stability and a genuine commitment to meeting the children’s basic needs.

I could see the joy in the children’s eyes when we brought Christmas gifts, as well as the gratitude of the mothers. Despite their limited resources, they welcomed us with warmth, generosity, and something to eat. Their openness and kindness left a deep impression on me.

Through these visits, and with my background in social work in Sweden, I became more aware of the differences between South African rural living conditions and first-world standards. I did not visit wealthy homes filled with luxury. Instead, I was welcomed into households that met basic living needs, with limited material resources but with enough to put food on the table and maintain a healthy life. Yet, even with so little, these families chose to give more by opening their homes to children in need.

These families have gone through screening processes, interviews, home visits, and careful matching. They have been accepted and trusted as caregivers, which challenged my own assumptions. It made me reflect on how families with material limitations can still possess strong capacities, resilience, and qualities that make them excellent caregivers and role models. These experiences reminded me that social work requires humility, reflection, and the ability to see beyond surface conditions. As professionals, we are called to meet families with respect, to see their strengths and support, and cherish what already works well.

Raising a child is never easy. Every child carries unique needs and, often, difficult experiences or trauma. Even though the living conditions may look very different from those in Sweden, I strongly believe that the most important things a child can receive are love and structure. These are given freely, yet they are perhaps the most fundamental and necessary gifts a child can receive, no matter where in the world they grow up.

Written by Jennifer Johannesson, GCF International Volunteer (social worker in Sweden)