TLC Children’s Home might close their doors

AFTER 25 years in existence and 900 children going through the home, The Love of Christ Children’s Home (TLC) is considering closing its doors due to its financial and structural state.

The CHRONICLE spoke to Pippa Jarvis (managing director) and Faith Abrahams (communications manager) about TLC’s uncertain future.

“We have been blessed over the years with fantastic support – local, national and international – and it is with sadness we are faced with closure,” said an upset Pippa. “We have been able to assist babies who have been abandoned, and although many people seem to think this doesn’t happen often anymore, it does.

“We no longer have consistent support and a sustainable income is the only way we’ll be able to go forward,” added Pippa.

A press release has been issued: “On November 26, TLC Children’s Home announced, with great sadness, that they would close operations within six months unless there was dramatic intervention. After 25 years of dedicated, passionate advocacy for the right of every baby to a family, where over 900 babies never needed to know the horror of lifelong institutional care, TLC is now faced with a R1-million debt, and a monthly shortfall of R350 000, in addition to structural challenges within the organisation that are complex and unsustainable.

“TLC’s loyal supporters have followed and assisted in overcoming their challenges over the last few years, but TLC is now in a position where it would be irresponsible to continue unless these following challenges were overcome: insufficient income – despite TLC’s best efforts to create a financially stable institution, the lack of proper State support, the rejection of a R4-m lotto application, a R1-m debt, and a monthly shortfall of R350 000 has put TLC in a dire financial situation.

“Adoption resistance – the increasingly hostile political attitude toward adoption and incapacity of local State social service structures, has increased the average length of stay for children at TLC from six months to between 25 and 33 months. This has a huge impact on the investment needed to maintain the high quality of care for the 35 children at TLC.

“Organisational challenges – the relationship between TLC’s founder, Thea Jarvis, and the rest of the management team at TLC has been irreparably damaged.”

Way forward

“Following an outpouring of support and shared distress from TLC’s supporters, TLC’s management team has outlined the following mandatory requirements to even consider keeping the child and youth care centre of TLC operational: pay off the R1-m debt and secure committed, reliable monthly funding of R350 000. Only once that is achieved, can the structural challenges be addressed.

“Should TLC not secure this funding, it will come to a close in six months, giving the organisation time to facilitate the responsible closure of operations to ensure the best possible outcome for each baby and staff member currently at TLC.

“TLC requires donations towards paying off the R1-mn debt and for their supporters to rally their own networks to sign up for TLC’s sustainable giving programme, Adopt-A-Cot, where sponsors commit to a minimum donation of R100 a month (monthly donations may be stopped at any time, but TLC requests that sponsors commit to supporting the home for at least the next six months).

“If this is achieved, TLC management will re-open discussions to keeping the child and youth care centre operational,” said Pippa.

Both Pippa and Faith shared their hopes that TLC will be able to get through this desolate time.

“If we can somehow be blessed with a miracle, we’ll carry on saving babies and finding them loving homes.”

For more information visit – www.tlc.org.za, where bank account details are available, should you wish to pledge your support.

Read: 

TLC Children’s Home a recipient of sponsored garden

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