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 […]
Stop dreaming, start doing
It’s a new year, and maybe this is the time to finally follow through on that dream of doing something meaningful for others. How often do we catch ourselves saying, “If I had more time… if I were younger, older… if I had more money or space, I’d do that thing I’ve always wanted to […]
“Where is my mommy?” – Transition from institution to family
I don’t know how many times I have had little girls and boys looking at me with big eyes, asking, “Where is my mommy?” or “When am I moving?” Children were moving, but it was always the ones left behind, waiting and longing. Years later, not working with GCF’s foster care programme anymore, this memory […]
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 […]
The Power of Play
“Mom, Dad … come and look! See what I can do!” Whether we are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or simply have children around us, we often hear these invitations. Children want to involve us in their world of play and fantasy, but do we truly grasp the incredible power of play? A few years ago, […]
Child Safeguarding – Creating Child Safe Environments
Children are vulnerable and must be protected from harm in their daily activities. While most of us recognise the importance of protecting children and express outrage when they are violated, few take concrete actions to prevent it. Unfortunately, children worldwide are victims of abuse and exploitation in places where they should feel safe, such as […]
My Name is Rosie
Hi. My name is Rosie, at least that’s what everyone calls me. I am 11 years old and live with my sister in a place for children that cannot be at home anymore. I love my mom. She is beautiful and very funny. She used to take care of us, but not always, and not […]
Child Protection is Everyone’s Business
‘Child Protection is everyone’s businessis often quoted by us at Give a Child a Family. But, what exactly does it mean? Let’s start with child protection. It is the safeguarding of children from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation. We all know that millions of children in the world are at risk or are experiencing this […]
Embracing Zenande
In the heart of one of the villages where GCF operates resides Mrs Khumalo and her family. On a warm, sunny afternoon, we visit her to talk about her foster care journey. Driven by a desire to make a difference in children’s lives, Mrs Khumalo who was working as a nurse at a local hospital […]