Child Welfare Port Shepstone rises above challenging year
Shamitha further explained the impact that Covid-19 had on the organisation.
Child Welfare Port Shepstone held its 23rd AGM at St Michaels Sands Hotel last Thursday.
Positivity and perseverance were the main themes as each speaker addressed those in attendance.
Child Welfare is a designated child protection organisation which aims to promote, protect and enhance the safety, wellbeing and healthy development of children.
Unlike past AGMs, it was intimate occasion in keeping with Covid-19 restrictions.
Child Welfare Port Shepstone social work manager, Shamitha Ramsuran presented the social workers’ annual report.
The organisation’s total caseload with children sits at 2154 with 14 new adoption cases and five finalised adoptions.
The landmark High Court judgment passed last year has helped greatly in expediting and finalising adoptions within the necessary timelines.
Shamitha further explained the impact that Covid-19 had on the organisation.
“Some offices were closed for a period of time, due to deaths of staff members and some testing positive. This poses a great challenge to render effective services,” she said.
Shamitha thanked the Community Chest, business houses and the community that assisted with food parcels during times of need.
She also thanked DG Murray Trust Co-Care programme, Southcoast Mall and Midas head office who aided 439, 70 and 710 families respectively.
In her report, Shamitha explained that Child Welfare Port Shepstone had to cut costs where possible to ensure continuity amidst the pandemic, which included restructuring and retrenchments.
Basil Naidoo presented the treasurer’s report which indicated a positive financial impact from last year to this year.
The bulk of the NPOs expenses goes towards salaries, wages and contributions.
“The greater percentage of our income is derived from the subsidy allocated by government. Also to our rescue, The Community Chest are consistently providing operational funding,” Basil added.
Chairman Ravi Lautan extended his gratitude to all those responsible for relief provided both in goods and monetary value.
“Without your support, we as Child Welfare would not have been able to maintain our duties to the community,” he said.
Ravi added that the NPO had to adapt overnight to devastation caused by Covid-19 and the recent looting that took place.
He explained that their right to provide a basic service is under threat and therefore must look for alternate means to source funding and ensure its sustainability.
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