the dream ...
is to restore justice and bring healing to so many broken children in South Africa.
the mission ...
is to promote the establishment of new and the support of existing care centres in communities that focus on the following needs of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and their care-givers:
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Education
Early childhood development, homework support programmes for primary and secondary school learners, career guidance and assistance with application for tertiary education, lifeskills training and peer education
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Food gardens
Provision of nutritious meals at the centre, establishment of food gardens in the community; provision of food to care-givers
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Health
Health education, referrals to health care services, home-based care by care-givers
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Psychosocial support
Trauma counselling, emotional support, support groups, assistance with grant applications, IDs and birth certificates (social security), and socializing
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Spiritual needs
Bible classes, talks, attending church, spiritual support
Target group ...
Abused, abandoned and orphaned children between 2 and 18 years old and their care-givers.
Journey with a centre ...
We would like to invite you to journey with a Child and Youth Care Centre in order to work for justice; help the down-and-out; stand up for the homeless; go to bat for the defenceless and make a permanent difference in the lives of children.
Visit Tsoga Foundation Portfolio for more information about the Child and Youth Care Centres we were and are involved in.
OUR WORK IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING COMMANDMENTS:
“Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenceless” (Isaiah 1:17).
“Enough! You've corrupted justice long enough, you've let the wicked get away with murder. You're here to defend the defenceless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them” (Psalm 82:2-4).
“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Do it for the children of our country!! This is God’s heart for His children … the little ones!!
The challenge we have in South Africa
There were 1.9 million AIDS orphans in South Africa in 2010 and by 2015 the figure will stand at 5.7 million, according to UNICEF 2010 annual report. This figure does not include thousands of abandoned and abused children.
Approximately 122,000 children live in an estimated 60,000 child-headed households across South Africa. 38.2% of young children are living in households where a grandparent or a great-grandparent is the head of the household. This burden of care on the elderly, who are likely to be on a small pension or stipend, has huge implications.
Providing support to orphaned, vulnerable and abused children is essential for the growth of any country. In South Africa, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has taken a tremendous toll on all aspects of society, it is imperative to implement programmes that will provide orphans with a chance to access education, good health and fundamentally, survival.
Protecting and promoting the rights of orphaned, vulnerable and abused children requires collaborative effort from government, welfare organisations; non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profit organisations, (NPOs) community based organisations, (CBOs) as well as the business sector.
What is the solution ...
We believe that it takes a village to raise a child therefore the solution for this problem lies in the establishment of new and support of existing community based Child and Youth Care Centres within the communities where abused, abandoned and orphaned children live.
These Child and Youth Care Centres should operate in partnership with
the business sector; individuals; international funding oganisations; social welfare organisations; schools; care-givers; the Department of Social Development; the Department of Education and the Department of Health.
We believe that it is important to address the root (or cause)
of this problem in our communities and not only
the symptoms!
