Ekurhuleni residents learn about child welfare
Child welfare identifies alternative suitable care for children which includes foster care, adoption or placement at a residential care facility for those in need of care and protection.
The Tembisa Child and Family Welfare Society emphasised the importance of childcare in surrounding communities.
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“This year we are focussing on imparting parenting skills to the community.
“This has been identified as a problem resulting in child neglect and some instances even abuse,” said social worker TP Sitsha.
Sitsha said the main objective of child welfare is to protect children from all sorts of vulnerability emanating from being orphaned, abuse, neglect, abandonment and risks imposed by family dynamics.
“In some instances, as in the case with abounded children, our service starts with giving a child a name and ensuring that the child develops a sense of self-identity and confidence.”
According to Sitsha, the services to children in greater Thembisa and its surrounds are multifaceted in that they aim to keep the child within the family origin if possible.
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If this cannot be accomplished, child welfare identifies alternative suitable care for children which includes foster care, adoption or placement at a residential care facility for those in need of care and protection.
“We operate two early learning centres for 225 people from the community.
“All the children in our residential facility are enrolled in the programme.
“Some of the children have learning difficulties and are placed in special schools,” said Sitsha.
Child welfare also provides support to children in pursuing higher education.
“We help them at vocational colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning.
“While they pursue further studies, we place them at our halfway house so that they continue to have a home to come to during holidays.
“The hallway house prepares them for independent living.”
“We contribute to nation-building through skills development and poverty alleviation. Every six months, different unemployed adults from the community are provided sewing and baking skills.
“We make every effort possible to generate income through various forms of fund-raising initiatives.”
For more information, contact the welfare on 081 702 6905 or 076 930 9440.
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