Community saves children’s homes after delayed subsidy payment
The children's home was in a dire financial state and could not afford to pay their staff's salaries.
Charlene Grobler, CEO of the Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes, can breathe a deep sigh of relief after the institutions’ state subsidy was paid after 73 days of anxious waiting.
The Department of Social Development was owing the children’s homes approximately R6-million in subsidy money by the end of September and their finances had completely dried up. They found themselves in a very difficult situation with an uncertain future.
“By December 1 and with Christmas around the corner, we could not pay salaries.
“We faced an uncertain festive season,” said Grobler.
With no other option left, Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes decided to appeal to the community for help.
“Thanks to the media’s reporting, there was an overwhelmingly positive response from the community and we were saved from a crisis.”
They say that the Department of Social Development only started paying attention to the children’s homes’ inquiries after the subsidy issue was reported in the media.
As a result, the department promised that the subsidy would be paid by December 9, but this did not materialise.
After further inquiries by Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes, the subsidy was finally paid out on Tuesday.
The children and staff of the homes are very grateful for the support received from the community.
While the number of children’s homes in South Africa is decreasing, there is an increasing demand for institutions that care for children.
The state’s subsidy to children’s homes shrinks every year and there is concern about the timeliness and viability of future subsidies.
That is why the Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children’s Homes will focus on getting further support from the community in the coming year.
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