Alberton Child Welfare defends allegations of mismanagement

An urgent appeal from Alberton Child Welfare for volunteers and financial support has been met with mixed reactions from the local community, with a wave of frustration and confusion spilling over onto a Facebook post by the Alberton Record.

The Alberton Child Welfare, which has been serving vulnerable children and families for over 80 years, recently shared a story detailing their critical need for additional assistance to cope with an overwhelming number of cases.

However, the post quickly sparked a series of comments accusing the organisation’s staff of misusing funds, which led to tensions between the welfare leadership and concerned community members.

Appeal for volunteers and sponsorship

Alberton Child Welfare, a designated child protection body under the Department of Social Development (DSD), provides critical social work services to communities across the Greater Alberton area.

As part of their recent plea, the organisation’s director, Anubha Mackerdhuj, outlined the severe shortage of social workers and the increasingly difficult task of providing adequate care to over 700 children. With the welfare receiving approximately 970 active cases, the strain on its limited resources is palpable.

The organisation currently has only five social workers to handle a caseload of over 700 children.

Mackerdhuj emphasised that the team had not received any salary increases in the past two years, yet they continue to serve the community out of passion and dedication to the children under their care.

In a Facebook post shared by Alberton Record, the organisation’s urgent call for volunteers with social work qualifications and financial backing was intended to address these issues.

However, several comments from the community took a critical turn, accusing the staff of financial mismanagement as the root cause of the organisation’s challenges.

Financial mismanagement allegations

The accusations were sparked after the Alberton Record posted a photo of a Mercedes parked outside the organisation’s new temporary safe care facility, questioning why such an expensive car was associated with an organisation that was struggling to maintain its operations.

In response to the online backlash, Mackerdhuj spoke with Alberton Record, clarifying the situation and addressing the allegations.

She explained that the vehicle in question was a visitor’s car, not an asset of the welfare organisation.

Mackerdhuj emphasised that, in addition to the two Suzuki vehicles officially allocated to the welfare, staff often use their vehicles to transport children and complete necessary tasks like arranging medical check-ups, ensuring children are enrolled in schools, and managing administrative duties.

These tasks often include arranging for children to receive medical checks, ensuring they have the necessary documents for foster placements, and liaising with government agencies such as Home Affairs and the Department of Basic Education.

A glimpse into the organisation’s financial oversight

Mackerdhuj also responded to the allegations of financial mismanagement by explaining that the organisation is fully compliant with the Department of Social Development’s regulations and undergoes regular audits.

These audits ensure the organisation remains eligible for continued funding.

The board of executives, she stated, handles all financial decisions, and the funds are closely monitored by a bookkeeper who ensures that everything is in order.

“The allegations are hurtful because the public does not have full insight into the inner workings of the organisation. It is easy for those on the outside to make assumptions without understanding the enormous challenges we face daily. We open our doors to anyone who wants to learn about our operations. If people want to understand how we use our funds, we encourage them to come to our office for a tour and discussion. I am more than happy to share our financials and show how every cent is spent to care for the children,” Mackerdhuj explained.

Despite the challenges, Mackerdhuj reaffirmed her commitment to the welfare’s mission, saying that the staff’s dedication, despite not having received salary increases for two years, is driven by their love for the children and the community they serve.

The need for community engagement

Mackerdhuj expressed her frustration with the fact that many of the individuals who criticised the organisation online never attended the AGM, where the welfare’s financials and progress are presented to the public.

“Every year, we hold an AGM to be transparent with the community. Unfortunately, very few attend, yet they are quick to criticise,” she remarked.

She urged community members to engage more actively with the welfare and attend these meetings to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by the organisation.

A call for more volunteers

In addition to funding, the organisation is also desperately seeking skilled volunteers to help alleviate the pressure on its overstretched team.

According to Mackerdhuj, volunteers with experience in social work are needed to support casework, monitor children’s well-being, and assist with family reunification efforts.

The welfare is also looking for people who are willing to dedicate their time and expertise to help ensure that children in need receive the care and support they deserve.

The director appealed to the community to stop speculating and instead step forward to make a tangible difference.

“Our mission is to help vulnerable children reach their full potential. We can’t do this alone. The community needs to come together to support the work that we do. Volunteers are always welcome, and if anyone has questions about how we operate, they are encouraged to reach out and schedule a meeting with me directly,” Mackerdhuj stated.

As the demand for foster care and social work services continues to grow, the organisation’s plea for volunteers and financial backing is not just a call for help, but an invitation to the community to become actively involved in supporting the most vulnerable children in the area.

The door remains open for those who are willing to learn more about the organisation’s operations, offer their time, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect and care for the children who need it most.

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