Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre is registered with the Department of Social Development to care for 45 children (boys and girls) who are placed according to the Child Care Act, Act 74 of 1983, as amended.
Children from 18 months to 18 years, who were exposed to neglect, abuse, absence of parents or other poor social-economic circumstances, are cared for in the Centre according to a court order.
A Multi-disciplinary team which consist of a Social Worker, Teacher, Occupational Therapist and Child and Youth Care workers makes sure that every child is cared for in a holistic way.
The strength based approach is followed which identifies every child’s strengths and builds on these to lift his/her self-esteem.
Children have access to basic care (food, clothing, and shelter), medical care, education, emotional and spiritual counselling, opportunities to build their skills and talents, sport and cultural activities. Basic life skills are learned through programs provided by the Child and Youth Care Workers, Occupational Therapist and volunteers from Youth groups and spiritual leaders.
Children have contact with their parents, family members or significant others during holidays and out weekends.
Close interaction with NGO’s who render family reunification services are essential.
Children from 18 months to 18 years, who were exposed to neglect, abuse, absence of parents or other poor social-
A Multi-
The strength based approach is followed which identifies every child’s strengths and builds on these to lift his/her self-
Children have access to basic care (food, clothing, and shelter), medical care, education, emotional and spiritual counselling, opportunities to build their skills and talents, sport and cultural activities. Basic life skills are learned through programs provided by the Child and Youth Care Workers, Occupational Therapist and volunteers from Youth groups and spiritual leaders.
Children have contact with their parents, family members or significant others during holidays and out weekends.
Close interaction with NGO’s who render family reunification services are essential.
Services focus on:
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Awareness: building children’s life skills and self-
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Early-
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Statutory services: Execution of the Child Care Act
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Re-
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The aim is that children will be re-united with their families within the shortest possible time after parents have been rehabilitated. If that doesn’t happen, due to the circumstances of the parents, alternative placements must be found, for example, Foster care and Adoption.
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Day Care Programs: Pre School children of Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre, Hospice and Home Base Care who have developmental shortages and have been evaluated by an Occupational Therapist, a day care programs, two mornings a week to stimulate their developmental growth.
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Building of Cottages: We are currently using the hostel system, and would like to move to the cottage system. It will be of great benefit to the children to move to smaller houses in smaller groups where more personal attention, can be given. We need at least four houses which can accommodate eight to ten children. We are currently raising money for the building of these houses. One house will cost approximately R 700 000.
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Treat a child on his/her birthday: Benefactors take each child out for his/her birthday and treat the child with a present, cake and lunch or a movie. The children feel that they are important and love the individual attention.
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Development programs: Children can participate in dancing, karate, modelling, arts and sports to explore their talents and build their self-
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Renovating of building: We would like to renovate our building to make it more child friendly. We also need money and other building materials like paint, wood, locks, curtains, and a lot more.
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Media Centre: We would like to equip a media centre where the children can explore working on computers and finding their own information for projects and assignments. This of course will also cost a lot of money.
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Cottages: Donations of money, building materials, other supplies, furniture, etc will be greatly appreciated.
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Vacation families: Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre is always in need of families who can take children out for weekends and holidays if their parents are not in a position to do so themselves. People can also make themselves available as foster parents.
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Training: Child and Youth Care Workers as well as other professional staff need continuous training. Training is expensive and resources are limited. Funds are needed for staff members to be trained as well as for staff wellness programmes.
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R 60 / $6 per month pays for a child to go to karate classes.
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R 200 / $20 per month pays for a child to go to a crèche.
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R 200 / $20 per month pays for a child to attend modelling classes.
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R 500 / $50 pays for a primary school child’s new school uniform.
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R 1500 / $150 pays for a grade 12 learner’s farewell party.
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R 600 / $60 pays for the children’s monthly pocket money.
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A bursary will help a child with further education.
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