Supporting Families Before the Breaking Point: How Early Support Changes Lives
Most family crises do not happen overnight. They build gradually. One difficult situation follows another, stress increases, and before long, a caregiver feels overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. In those moments, there is a real risk of emotional decisions that may cause further harm. Many of us have felt that pressure ourselves. But […]
A welcoming home
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 […]
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 […]
Where Dreams Take Root: How Parenting Training Changes Lives
When Busi* first walked through the doors of the room in the community centre where Linda would facilitate the parenting training, she wasn’t sure what to expect. They had met before, but not with the others who had also qualified for the programme. “She is a widowed, unemployed mother, now caring for her young grandchildren. […]
Put Children First: Relocate the Office on the Rights of the Child to the Presidency Now
Give a Child a Family Africa aligns with SANCRC’s urgent submission calling for strategic reform to protect and promote children’s rights in South Africa. Submission: An Urgent Call for the Relocation of the Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC) to The Office of the Presidency The South African Child Rights Coalition (SANCRC) is […]
Why Long-Term Support for GCF Changes Generations
At Give a Child a Family Africa (GCF), we believe that every child deserves the chance to grow up in a loving, safe family. But this doesn’t happen by chance—it takes vision, commitment, faith, and long-term support. This is where you come in! When you partner with us over time, you’re not just donating, you’re […]
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 […]
A Legacy of Love: How Your Gift Can Change Lives Beyond Your Lifetime
We all hope to leave the world a little better than we found it. For many, this means ensuring that the values we hold dear continue to make a difference long after we are gone. At Give a Child a Family Africa, we believe that every child deserves a loving, secure home. With your support, […]
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, […]