Restoring Hope Through Early Intervention and Family Support
When our team began enrolling caregivers into the Parenting for Life programme in one of the communities we serve, we met a young mother whose circumstances immediately concerned us. She had recently relocated and was caring for her six-month-old baby in extremely vulnerable conditions, with very limited resources or support. It was clear that both […]
From Struggle to Strength: A Family’s Journey of Hope
Every family faces challenges, but some moments feel heavier than others, especially when a child begins to lose their way. This is a story of one young man, his devoted mother, and the transformation that happens when families receive the support they need. Not long ago, our community workers visited a home where a mother […]
Closing Our Doors to Open New Ones: Why Children Belong in Families
“All I wanted was for my children to be with me, but I didn’t know how to make it possible.” These were the words of a mother who once stood at the edge of losing her children. Poverty, stress, and the absence of support had left her overwhelmed and ready to give them up. For […]
Staying Connected: What Today’s Children Need Most from Their Parents
In a world where technology connects us instantly but emotionally distances us more than ever, today’s children are facing pressures that many adults never experienced in their own childhoods. The recent Netflix docuseries Adolescence offers a powerful and, at times, unsettling glimpse into what it means to grow up in the digital age. For parents, […]
From Foster Care to Forever Families: A Heart-warming Goodbye
On a warm afternoon, we gathered at one of our foster mothers’ homes, nestled deep in a rural area where rolling green hills stretch far and wide, and cows and goats roam freely along the narrow roads. This meeting was special. After many years of walking together, it was time to officially close this particular […]
Protecting South Africa’s Children: The Imperative of Vigilance and Reporting
The recent harrowing cases of young children like Cwecwe and Joslin Smith have cast a stark light on the vulnerabilities faced by children in South Africa. These incidents not only underscore the urgent need for robust child protection mechanisms but also highlight the pivotal role that timely reporting plays in safeguarding our nation’s youth. The […]
The Ripple Effect of Training: Empowering Families, Communities and Social Workers
So much has changed over the years. When I think about training, I realise how deeply embedded it is in GCF’s work. For nearly 25 years, we have been equipping others, starting with preparing people to receive children into foster care. Over time, this has evolved into training parents to reunite with their biological children, […]
Seeing Beyond the Labels
In my home language, we say we become “injured at work.” It’s not about physical harm but a way to express how much we live and breathe what we do. For me and my colleagues, child protection is more than just a job—it’s part of who we are. Sometimes, it feels surprising when others don’t […]
Strengthening Families for a Better Tomorrow
“I walk into homes with nothing in them, no furniture and hardly any food,” says one of GCF’s community workers. Her team has begun assessing new at-risk families we have not worked with before, to see if they qualify for our “Parenting 4 Life” programme. Families finding themselves at risk are often facing a range […]
She’s Found Her Voice
One ordinary day at work, I was in my office on the second floor, immersed in my tasks and thoughts. The cheerful sounds of children playing on the nearby playground, ringing through to my office daily, were absolutely delightful. Suddenly, a little nine-year-old girl named Phumi* managed to sneak into my office, looking a bit […]