Alberton Child Welfare seeks urgent volunteers and funding

Alberton Child Welfare, a beacon of hope for children and families in crisis, urgently calls for both skilled volunteers and financial backing as it strives to improve its services and facilities.

Established in 1940, the NPO has a longstanding commitment to the protection and well-being of children in need. Now, it is grappling with mounting challenges in the face of growing demand for foster care, a heavy workload, and under-resourced facilities.

The organisation, which has been recognised as a designated child protection body by the Department of Social Development, is based in Alberton North, Gauteng, and provides essential social work services to communities across the Greater Alberton area.

This includes areas such as Alberton North, Albertsdal, Brackenhurst, and many more. Currently, Child Welfare South Africa handles around 970 active cases, with the majority involving children in urgent need of care and protection due to neglect, abuse, abandonment, and social issues such as drug addiction in families.

Critical need for volunteers

In a recent appeal, the organisation’s leadership highlighted the severe shortage of social workers and social auxiliary workers.

According to the organisation’s director Anubha Mackerdhuj, the current team is stretched thin, and the load is becoming increasingly unmanageable. Volunteers with completed social work degrees are urgently needed to assist with casework, monitoring, and supporting families.

Volunteers with experience are also sought to bolster the team’s ability to provide life-changing interventions for children in need.

“Our team is overwhelmed. We need qualified social workers to volunteer their expertise. The demand for our services is growing, and without additional support, we may not be able to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families,” a frustrated Anubha expressed.

Temporary safe care facility under development

One of the most pressing concerns is the organisation’s inability to find sufficient foster homes to accommodate the increasing number of children requiring care.

To address this, Alberton Child Welfare is working to establish a temporary safe care facility, which will serve as a children’s home for short-term placements.

This facility is designed to house up to 12 children, with the possibility of dividing the space into two separate dorms. However, a smaller capacity of six children will be accommodated if the facility is not divided.

“The project is still in its infancy and requires significant funding for further refurbishment, including essential upgrades to plumbing, toilets, and general infrastructure. The organisation is calling on the local community, businesses, and philanthropists to step forward with sponsorships, donations, and expertise to bring this vital project to fruition,” Anubha said.

The fostering crisis

At present, the organisation provides care to over 700 children in foster care.

These children often come from troubled family backgrounds involving drug abuse, poverty, and parental neglect.

The organisation strives not only to place these children in loving homes but also to offer services that assist parents in overcoming their challenges, including access to rehabilitation programmes.

“Despite these efforts, the rate of family reunification is low, with only around 5% of children being successfully reintegrated into their biological families. This is due to the ongoing socioeconomic issues facing parents, including unemployment, addiction, and mental health struggles. The result is that many children end up in long-term foster care or institutional placements,” Anubha explained.

With the need for foster homes becoming ever more urgent, the organisation is also exploring partnerships with potential foster carers to help ensure that children are placed in safe, supportive environments.

How to help?

Alberton Child Welfare welcomes contributions in any form – whether through volunteer services, financial donations, or material support.

Bank Details:

Bank name: Absa

Account name: Child Welfare South Africa – Greater Alberton Area

Account number: 9302099530

As an approved Public Benefit Organisation, Alberton Child Welfare is also tax-exempt, and donations made to the organisation qualify for tax deductions under Section 18A.

For more information on how to contribute, contact Anubha Mackerdhuj on 010 109 6121, 083 658 6176 or director@childwelfarealberton.org

The organisation is committed to making a real difference in the lives of children, but it cannot do so without the continued support and generosity of the community.

Board of management:

Chairperson: Johan Pretorius

Vice chair: Johan Dippenaar

Secretary: Dieter Van Es

Treasurer: Hendrik Grobler