For many foster parents, their good work just never stops and they need to be at the ready to help their kids through anything life throws at them at all times.

Adapting to the new way of life can be very difficult for these children. Working this hard to ensure that the little ones who have already lost too much in life are cared for can be taxing. Having your work and actions recognised by others and receiving much-needed help mean more than you might think.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) recently headed out to show one such woman that she isn’t alone. The 73-year-old Elizabeth Radebe from Munsieville was ecstatic when the department had the birth certificates of the foster children who recently came into her care dropped off. They delivered a food parcel as well to help ease the burden.

I am very happy today with this gesture from government,” Elizabeth started.

“This food parcel will make a difference. I have five dependents of which three are foster children, and we try to survive on my older persons grant. I am struggling.”

Hitekani Mabasa, social worker at the department’s West Rand division explained that the three children used to live in Diepsloot with their great-grandfather after their mother had passed away two years ago.

“The children, aged 13, seven and four had to be removed following allegations that the great-grandfather was failing to take proper care of them because he was always under the influence of alcohol,” said Sibusiso Chauke, GDSD communications officer.

The children were removed from their Diepsloot home and placed in Munsieville in the care of their great-grandfather’s sister. The case was transferred from Midrand to the West Rand Region since the children were placed on the West Rand. They did not have birth certificates as their late mother did not have one,” noted Mabasa.