The Essential Role of Parents in Child Development
Introduction At GCF, we have always championed the importance of family life for children. Our mission is to ensure that childhood is not spent in Child and Youth Care Centres, devoid of the enriching experiences of family. Children under our care often return to rehabilitated families, and those who cannot are placed in approved foster […]
Nurturing Hope: A Guide to Becoming a Foster Parent with GCF
Introduction If you’ve been following GCF’s journey, you’re likely aware of our Foster Care Programme—a vital initiative born from the recognition that children often spend too much time in Child and Youth Care Centres, missing out on the stability and love that a family environment provides. We believe that every child deserves a chance to […]
Are you looking for a way to show love?
Healthy love is a fundamental need we all have, but for some, it’s sadly not there to receive. I’m sitting in my office reading through a brochure about ending institutional care in Africa. A quote from a young person growing up in a children’s home stands out the most. “In all the years at the […]
Parenting 4 Life
Have you thought about how often something has a ripple effect on something else? If it is empowering and positive it can be amazing to follow, if only from a distance. Give a Child a Family Africa (GCF) has been running the updated parenting skills programme, Parenting 4 Life, since the end of last year, […]
What do they go home to?
Sjoe, it’s sobering to be in such a place as Bhambayi, thinking of the challenges, concerns, and fears its people live with daily. Today, I was surrounded by the brave women of our society, in an area that houses 75,000 living in makeshift housing. It is the second week GCF Africa runs Empowering Victims in […]
The Importance of Safety Parents
Imagine this. Your phone rings at the most inconvenient time. You recognise the number and know immediately that you must answer. You are needed now! A social worker is on the other side of the line telling you that a baby is at risk and has been removed from the mother. The question you know […]
My Journey with GCF – Nozuko Mkhwalo
I was going to the chicken farm in Gayridge to buy chicken when I saw a building that had a sign written The Place of Restoration (previous name of the organisation) on it. I thought it was a church as there was a Bible verse underneath the name Place of Restoration, which was from Isaiah […]
My Journey with GCF – Mareli Schwartz
This year, I celebrated my 10th anniversary at GCF, and I often think back to when I started working at Give a Child a Family in November 2012. The dining hall was packed with staff members and children, and I cried while listening to the beautiful worship by the staff. I remember that feeling well […]
My Journey with GCF – Torbjörn Arvidsson
For me, it was incredible that I had an opportunity to see GCF’s work during the 30-year celebration. It was interesting for me to experience, as it was close to my wife’s heart, who loved children and South Africa. We visited the country in 2008 together with a friend, but not GCF. Unfortunately, my wife […]
My Journey with GCF – Hilda O’Callaghan
My name is Hilda O’Callaghan and I have lived in Australia for 42 years. Once I retired from the Australian Red Cross, I made a decision to bring the Protective Behaviours (PB) Program (child safety program) to South Africa. It was during my third year of coming over to SA, that I had my first connection with […]