St George’s Home in Kempton Park celebrates Child Protection Day

To mark the end of Child Protection Month, The Coalition of Anglican Children’s Homes’ (COACH) St George’s Home in Kempton Park hosted a Child Protection Day celebration on May 5.

It invited stakeholders to see the meaningful work done at the centre.

The day was filled with joy and pride as learners showcased their talents and skills, sending a clear message: life’s challenges do not define them.

Representatives from the Get Informed Youth Development Centre (YDC), You Are Not Alone (YANA), and Phomolong Primary School attended, standing in solidarity with COACH’s commitment to child protection.

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The St George’s Home’s Life Campus Programme supports young people aged 14 to 18, including residential and day learners.

Currently, the centre serves 19 learners – five attend classes during the day and return home, while 14 live full-time at the facility.

Nagapushnum Reddy, the director of the St George Home, said funding remains a serious challenge.

“Delays in receiving donor funds create serious financial strain,” Reddy said. “We also rely heavily on fundraising, but that, too, has its difficulties.”

She explained that the programme continues to evolve in response to community needs.

“Abuse among children remains a significant issue,” she said. “Many parents are working all day just to survive, leaving children vulnerable. Our programme is crucial because it focuses on a sensitive age group that many interventions overlook.”

Child Protection Day raised awareness of every child’s right to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, free from harm, neglect, and exploitation.

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As part of the centre’s skills development initiative, learners exhibited their handmade paintings and wax candles to guests.

The event was a celebration and an opportunity to showcase the heart of the centre – the people, the work and the lives they uplift.

It also allowed guests and stakeholders to meet staff and engage directly with the centre’s day-to-day efforts.

Whether through counselling, education, mentorship or simply a warm meal and a listening ear, each act of care brings the children closer to healing and hope.

Tamia Madikane, the help desk officer at Get Informed YDC, said their organisation supports individuals in need of educational guidance, regardless of background.

“We’ve partnered with many schools through intervention programmes,” said Madikane.

“Our focus isn’t only on struggling children; we assist anyone in need. Our skills programmes enhance CVs and improve job prospects.

“These include computer training, system development, early childhood development, fitting, and fibre, among others. Everyone deserves a second chance at education.”

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Treasure Matlala, COACH’s skills co-ordinator, and Witness Khumalo, an adult basic education and training co-ordinator, also stressed the importance of providing access to education and protection for children facing adversity.

Khumalo, who joined the centre three months ago, said he had no prior training in working with children with learning difficulties but took the initiative to self-educate.

“I wasn’t trained for this, but I did my research to understand how best to support them,” he said.

“Many of our learners have various disorders, and working with teenagers is challenging on its own. But the growth I’ve seen in the past three months has been remarkable; they’re more open and confident now.”