Give a Child a Family celebrates 30 years
The organisation has played a massive role in child care in the community and beyond for three decades.
Without GCF, my life would have looked very different.
It was heartwarming to hear this sentence, again and again, from different people over the few days GCF celebrated 30 years as an organisation.
That is what is so amazing about GCF.
It does not matter if it is a child who has been spending some time at the centre, a stakeholder or partner who has worked together with them, or an international volunteer from the past or a staff member – all have experienced some kind of positive life change.
Thirty years in the child protection field is something to highlight.
So much has taken place, been learned and taught for the betterment of children and families.
For this reason GCF wanted to share its gratitude with the world through invitations to special festivities.
The GCF staff was excellent and showed special skills in the hard work of preparations and executions.
The days flew by very quickly and with great teamwork and only a few glitches. They can say, in retrospect, that it was was both a successful and rewarding event.
It started on a Thursday with a meeting, a tour at GCF plus some of the nearby communities in which GCF works.
A group of VIPs joined, which included funders, partners and supporters, some all the way from Sweden.
That evening GCF challenged itself by hosting its very first virtual Talk Show.
Relevant questions relating to GFC’s work were dealt with.
Much focus was laid on how the organisation is currently transforming the work with children by moving from institutional care to family care in communities and how strengthening families through preventative work is the way to go.
(If you missed out, a recording is to be found on the website www.gcf.org.za)
GCF’s 2021 annual general meeting took place on the Friday.
Information from last year’s activities was shared as it should. (Are you interested in the details, find the AGM report on the website)
Happy birthday greetings were shared, as well as messages from a foster parent and a temporary safe care parent, and one of our longstanding international funders, Läkarmissionen.
This was not all, GCF performed its brand new song for the audience.
Thereafter, Monica Woodhouse (GCF’s founder and CEO) presented the organisation’s new name and beautiful logo.
Kindly remember that from now on we are Give a Child a Family Africa.
A ‘meet and greet’ dinner was held with the GCF board, senior management and guests in the evening. It was a lovely time for memories and expressions of support.
Saturday, the last day of our celebration, started at a nearby school. GCF had invited the child and youth care centres in the area to join for a few hours of sports and play activities.
The afternoon contained a spit braai for guests and staff and ended with a celebration service, where GCF expressed thankfulness to God for using the organisation to change lives for 30 years was emphasised.
It was acknowledged by touching messages about personal transformation and greetings from across the globe.
Busy days came to an end and everyone was left with feelings of gratitude and love, ready to take on the start of the next 30 years.
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