George Child and Family Welfare

Call-to-support: We all know how inconvenient life can be without a washing machine, having to ask others to do your (six) kids' washing, how expensive it can get to do your washing at a laundry, or how time-consuming it is to wash by hand and you have to keep the weather in mind.

One of our cluster foster houses is currently without a washing machine. If you're able to donate a good second-hand washing machine or if you would like to make a financial contribution, please get in touch with Ace at our office on 044 874 0424.

"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving" - Mother Theresa.

If you don't have much to give but you would love to give to us, listen up📢

Join our community of MySchool supporters and give back to us in swipes every time you shop & swipe at selected partner stores, e.g., Woolworths.

Sign-up for your MySchool card here: https://www.myschool.co.za/portal/register or SMS 'join' to 31231
Remember to choose George Child & Family Welfare as your beneficiary🙏

You're all set, your support is appreciated💕

Celebrating our Foster Mothers

In celebration of Women's Month, our staff planned a special morning to treat our foster moms as a token of our appreciation for being SHEroes (a woman regarded as a hero) in the eyes of our children.

We would like to thank retired police officer, Pamela Lesibanie for introducing these amazing ladies to decoupaging - encouraging them to tap into their creativity with some DIY projects. Each mom received a thoughtful gift followed by a scrumptious Spur breakfast - thank you Geronimo Spur for the special discount.

Thank you to our team of auxiliary workers for organising such a pleasant morning.

We would like to thank Mrs. Killeen and the Dugmore family in Great Brak for the donation of this classic Eavestaff London piano.

It has been out of use for quite some time and we will need the generous assistance of someone with piano tuning expertise to help us fix this.

Anyone interested in helping us out, please contact Marlene or Ricky at the office on 044 874 0424.

: For her birthday on 06 August, Liezl Killian had one special request - instead of birthday presents, she asked each of her friends to bring pajamas for our cluster foster care children as part of our pledge-a-party campaign.

Liezl was one of our guests at our ladies' tea fundraiser in June - she felt inspired to do something remarkable. She decided to host a pajama party to collect Winter pajamas for our boys and girls.

On 08 August, Liezl celebrated her birthday and Women's Day with friends at her house - she received an amazing 21 pajama sets which she dropped off at our office earlier today.

Thank you, Liezl for sharing our desire to spread hope and happiness. 💕

RAFFLE WINNERS were drawn at the Fancourt men's team challenge last night.
1st prize - Jo-ani Paulsen (2night stay at Fancourt Manor House)
2nd prize - Alexandra Harris (Mark Gold bespoke earrings)
3rd prize - Loda Bothma (Goldfish Jewellery Design Studio voucher)
Bonus prize - Anneline Groenewald (2night stay at Cherry Berry Guest House)

Please collect your prizes from Sue at the office - 13 Albert Street.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Together we can make a difference to those in crisis.

The new Barbie movie is currently trending for spreading pink happiness all over the world. Even our staff decided to put on a splash of pink today in celebration of Women's Day - as a gentle reminder to girls and women out there that no matter who they are or where they come from, they all deserve the princess treatment.

Thank you to Ms. Khan at the George Regional Court for inviting us and other local NGOs including ACVV George, Badisa George Child and Family Services, and Phambili Refuge to be a part of their Women's Day Outreach Campaign to spread awareness about our different services available to children, women, and families in crisis.

From the George Child and Family Welfare team, a blessed Women's Day to all!💕

A BIG thank you to Frogfoot for warming our hearts with a donation of blankets to help keep the Winter chills away. In celebration of Nelson Mandela Month, they have been spreading warmth with their blanket drive from 18-28 July 2023.

: Thank you to Jeneira and awesome team at Gelmar George for inviting us to be a part of their Christmas in July festivities this morning.

They offered us a platform to promote our services and to connect with their customers. It was a funfilled morning including face painting, free cooldrinks, sweets, coffee and good vibes.

They had a R10 raffle in support of the amazing work we do in the communities, giving supporters a chance to win a R500 Gelmar voucher.

Tomorrow, 28 July is the last day to RSVP for our AGM taking place next Tuesday, 01 August 2023 at 17h30 at our offices at 13 Albert Street.

RSVP to Ricky at [email protected] or contact the office on 044 874 0424.

SAVE THE DATE - George Child and Family Welfare AGM

We hope you will be able to join us for our Annual General Meeting taking place on Tuesday, 01 August, 17h30 at our offices at 13 Albert Street.

SAVE THE DATE - George Child and Family Welfare AGM

We hope you will be able to join us for our Annual General Meeting taking place on Tuesday, 01 August, 17h30 at our offices at 13 Albert Street.

We had a SOUP-er fun time for Mandela Day yesterday !🥖🍲

Thank you to NQtac Hotel School , Daisy Business Solutions George and George Child and Family Welfare for making this day possible for our communities !!🫶

67 Minutes for Nelson Mandela

The late Nelson Mandela had a profound impact on people from all walks of life across the globe to do good and to be of service to those in need.

We are blessed and grateful to have been the beneficiary of several local businesses/organisations today in honour of Nelson Mandela's legacy.

We would like to thank the following organisations/businesses: Fancourt, dotsure.co.za, Garden Route Mall, Algoa FM News, George Business Chamber, NQtac, Skynet, Tekkie Town, Mazars, PKF Auditors, SBV and Working on Fire for sharing our desire to make a positive impact in our communities.

Please help us vote 🙏🏼

67 Minutes for Mandela day….
How about you pick a party?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY we have launched our Pledge-A-Party campaign where we challenge you to share your birthday with us by challenging your friends to support your chosen party.

1. “Undercover party” - kiddies, teen boys, teen girls and ladies new underwear. (shop at Pep or Ackermans for inexpensive un**es)

2. “Pajama party” - Most kids in crisis arrive in our place of safety with the clothes on their backs. We always need PJ’s of all sizes for boys, girls and babies.

3. “Supperware party” – With so many mouths to feed we encourage you to collect non-perishable items that we can package into food parcels. Rice, stock cubes, tinned foods, mielie/maize meal, pasta, sugar, 2minute noodles, Wheatbix cereal, oats, boxed milk etc.

4. “Baby steps party” - baby clothing/supplies, nappies and Infacare formula, bum cream, Vaseline, baby shampoo, baby bottles & teats.

5. “Teeny bopper party” - toiletries/stationary. Roll on deodorant, lip-gloss/lip-ice, body spray for teen boys & girls, notebooks & pens.

6. “Behind the mask party” - goodies for r**e victims. Roll on deodorant, sanitary towels, face-cloth, bar of soap, hand cream, lip ice, notebook & pen or crayons and colouring book, soft toys.
Leggings, panties and t-shirts for ages 6 -16 years (boys and girls)

7. “Dressed for success party” - school uniforms. Help us to dress a child for school.

8. “Let’s party” – pledge a monthly birthday party for kids in our safe house or foster homes. Cost of a cake, snacks, party goodies and a small gift. (We host one party a month for all our children who have birthdays that month)

9. “Tickle a Teddy party” – Teddies & soft toys spread a little hope and happiness. For a child in crisis they bring comfort and are something to hold and something to love.

10. “Tea Party” – support a teen or parent workshop. Food supplies for the workshops, such as muffins, lunch products and/or an activity

11. “Shop til you drop party” – raise funds so we are able to take a teen out shopping for their necessities. This gives a child a sense of worth in that they are able to choose something themselves.

12. “Let’s play party” – educational toys for our Buddy program and creches

13. “Winter wonderland party” - winter warmers are a constant need. Blankets, scarves, socks and jerseys

14. “Around the world party” - fuel for our Buddy & Kids on the Move buses as they bring services to, and transport kids in crisis

15. “Share & care party” - bless our Child Welfare staff with a small gift (hand cream, cupcakes, notebooks. We recognise that they go the extra mile

16. “Hello farmer party” - fresh fruit and veggies are a luxury for many and we welcome fruit and veggies

17. “Let’s go on an adventure party” - sponsor an outing for our foster children or a cooldrink & meal during school holidays

18. “Keep a girl at school” - girls miss going to school as they don’t have sanitary towels

For more information on how to get involved please call our office 044 8740424 or drop at our office 13 Albert Street (8am til 4pm weekdays)

George Child & Family Welfare
FNB Cheque Account - 52291616310
George Branch - 210114
Please use the reference - SH & your surname.
Overseas supporters - Swiftcode is FIRNZAJJ # # #
Reference: Birthday & SURNAME


.

Today was such a fulfilled day, creating happy memories with our cluster foster care children during the school break.
We would like to thank our fundraising, events and media volunteer Karen Warneke, who eagerly helped to organise the colour workshop.
Karen and her friends, Helen and Pat showed the littles ones under 8 years old how to create magic with playdough and the older kids were asked to make a dream bottle, using all the different colours that resonates with them. Special thanks to everyone who donated these home-made playdough to us.

Please note: CHARITY SHOP

For many years our charity shop has not operated from our old premises in CJ Langenhoven Street.
Drop off donations or visit our charity shop at our offices - 13 Albert Street, corner of Merriman Street.
Opening times: Mondays-Fridays from 10h00 to 15h00.
For donations, please contact our office on 044 874 0424.

: Children in foster care deserve for others to be mindful of their feelings as well.

What NOT to say to children in foster care:
1. Refer to them as foster kids
❌ "Foster kid"
✅ "Kid/ child"

2. Negative things about their family
❌ "You must be really mad at your parents"
✅ Listen if the child wants to talk about his/her family

3. Do NOT dismiss their feelings
❌ "That doesn't really matter"
✅ "Your feelings matter"

4. Telling them you understand what they are going through
❌ "I understand your situation"
✅ "I am here if you want to talk"

5. Telling them they are lucky
❌ "You are lucky to be here"
✅ "We will make you feel safe and loved"

6. Telling them they don't look like foster kids
❌ "You don't look like you'd be in foster care"
✅ "You are strong and capable of great things"

Source: Foster Love https://www.instagram.com/fosterlove/

PLEASE give us 10 minutes of your time and VOTE for us in the the Best of George competition!

Click the link https://www.bestofgeorge.com/vote/
Select category - Living in George
Best Community Organization - Choose George Child & Family Welfare

Please note: You have to vote for all the sub-categories under Living in George in order to submit your vote.
Also, you may only vote once per category, so please share with all your connections!
Thank you!🙏🙏

Our second Independent Living Programme for the year was a jam-packed information session to introduce our Grade 11 and 12 learners to opportunities available post-matric. Independent Living is aimed at better equipping the youth with skills and knowledge needed to help them prosper when they finish school.
We would like to thank Debbie Bruce and her team from the YearBeyond programme, who introduced our youth to a world of opportunities, offering learning and employment experience in three areas including: education, social cohesion and community wellbeing.
Another shoutout to Joshua Delport, the programme coordinator at SUFF Academy - Tech + Skills & Arts who spoke passionately about all the life-changing opportunities they offer to the youth and even the unemployed in our communities. SUFF Academy offers a wide range of skills development programmes focused on technology and entrepreneurship. The youth are also welcome to pop into the George Youth Cafe anytime, should they need assistance to create a CV, prepare for their first interview, or lack the resources to apply for university.

The sad truth… so many heartbreaking stories. Please support us as we continue to serve those in crisis

George Child & Family Welfare
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Cheque - 52291616310
George Branch - 210114
Reference - surname
Swiftcode is FIRNZAJJ # # #

18A letters can be issued on request for financial donations
Together we can help those in crisis survive and thrive again

My name is Nandi.

Lockdown has been hard on me and my family. My father lost his job as a driver and Gogo is sick. The clinics are full and taxis are scarce. We have no money for food and the shack is cold.

I clean a lady’s house for a living. She says I’m like her family. I hear her telling her friends that she gives me her old clothes and even lets me eat the leftovers for lunch each day. They talk about what I do wrong. But she tells them ‘Nandi is like Peter’s other mother, she’s family!’. Peter is a sweet boy and I love looking after him. I am sure that he will be excited to find out that I am having a baby, he has always wanted a sibling.

When my employer finds out I am pregnant, she looks shocked. ‘But why didn’t you use condoms Nandi, they’re free from the government don’t you know?’. I hear her telling her friends that I am irresponsible. But she doesn’t know what it’s like. Her husband works. And looks after her. Her husband loves her. She doesn’t know about ‘him’. I can’t tell her about ‘him’, she won’t understand.

My employer is ‘letting me go’ until I have the baby. You know, her home can’t survive without me and she loves me like family she reminds me, but she has to be able to keep things turning. She’s ‘being kind’ she says, it’s not nice for me to have to clean a big house while I am pregnant. It’s not nice to go to bed hungry either. I wonder if she knows how that feels.

I will claim UIF. It will be ok. I have been part of her family for five years! That’ll cover me. Because, as the missus reminds me, I won’t have to travel into the suburbs any more – I’ll save so much and I won’t have to wake up at 3am to get the taxi.

I stand in the queue for UIF. My ankles are swollen, I am hungry and tired. The official just laughs. She hasn’t been paying my UIF. I am like family. It’s impossible. I phone her. ‘UIF Nandi?’, “I thought that was just for big companies. ‘I didn’t know Nandi’. But I was ‘part of her family’, I thought.

I have carried this baby like a sign of my life’s bad decisions for nine months now. He is ready. I am not.

When it is time to give birth, I wait for taxi and get myself to my local maternity clinic only to be sent home again and told to come back when it is ‘really’ happening. This is my first baby, I wonder what that will feel like. This feels pretty real to me.

I used my last R16 to get the taxi here, so I start walking back home. The labour pains are gripping my body. I walk through the streets like a ghost, holding in this tiny human who feels ready to break free.

Baby Nathi can’t wait. I can feel him moving down my body. I am scared. I am panicked. I have nobody to call, no way to get back to the hospital. ‘Like family Nandi’. This family could do with a car right about now. I am scared.

I turn around and start walking back. It’s only 7km. I can do this. One step at a time. Only 7km Nandi. Keep going.

Is it supposed to feel like this?

I near the hospital, I know he is close. He’s my first baby, I don’t know how I know he’s close, but I do. But there are procedures to follow at the hospital, forms to fill in and other people there before me.

I am groaning in pain, it is annoying people, somebody yells for me to ‘thula’. I am not special. Everybody here is in turmoil. I am normally a quiet lady, I’m not here to cause trouble, I don’t know where these roars from my body are coming from. I can’t stop them now. I can’t stop him.

The pain is like nothing I have ever experienced. I shout out for help. But nobody can hear my cries over the many lives entering the world at this time and the confusion over paperwork around this disease that is ravaging our incomes.

Baby Nathi comes bursting into this world, right here on the floor of the clinic. Into the chaos while the world keeps turning. Right in front of my fellow labouring sisters. Right in front of the security who is eating his afternoon snack.

I am embarrassed. I am confused. I don’t know where I am supposed to be. I wish my mum could be with me, I hate that she is dead. She’d have known what to do. But everyone is alone here. We’re alone, together, in this scary chasm between real life and new life and the terror in between.

He’s here. I did it. My body no longer looks like the tower of shame which it has for the last nine months. The baby screams. My body screams. Somebody shoves his head toward my breast like I am supposed to know what to do. There’s yelling and screaming and women coming behind me. The train won’t stop. I can’t get off.

It’s cold this winter. But I do not have any clothing for baby Nathi. I clean up my mess like I am told, I didn’t realise there would be so much blood. I didn’t know about this thing they call ‘afterbirth’. They reminded me not to waste, so I am careful to wipe away the blood with as little as I can.

I manage to keep a linen saver to wrap Baby Nathi in. I am allowed to stay for six hours, and so I do, it’s busy but at least I am not alone. I sit here for six hours with sweet Baby Nathi and watch as many women follow my footsteps behind me. I am saving my energy. I need to walk home.

‘Sisi, it’s time to go.’, I bundle Nathi into his linen saver, put my jacket around him and start the journey back ‘home’.

It’s only 7km. One step at a time. Why is there blood coming down my legs?

It’s only 7km. Stop being such a baby. You are a mother now. Walk.

It’s starting to get dark. The man on the corner wolf whistles as I go by. Perhaps he doesn’t see Nathi. Perhaps he does. He wants something from me, I wonder if he knows that something is how I got here. I hold baby Nathi tighter and walk as fast as I can.

My body hurts. Why is there still blood? 7km. Keep walking.

I get home. All is as it was. The world doesn’t stop for you Sisi, you’re not the first person to have a baby. Keep going. Gogo needs her medicine. I put some pap onto the fire for us both. Baby Nathi doesn’t make a sound. I keep him strapped tightly to me while I work.

It’s freezing cold this winter. We have no electricity. Our illegal connection was disconnected by officials. You’re a mother now. Keep this baby alive.

I use all the blankets I have to keep him warm. It feels like I am being stabbed when he latches to my breast. You’re a mother now. Suck it up.

My body aches as the cold seeps into my bones while we try to sleep. Baby Nathi cries. How do I know if he’s eaten enough? Why does it hurt so much? Why didn’t I get an abortion so he doesn’t have to go through this? Don’t think like that Nandi! Children are a blessing!

I have no money for Pampers or formula. By breasts are cracked and sore. Baby Nathi sucks until they bleed, it still hurts so bad. The days are so long. The nights are so cold. The days are so long. The nights are so cold. The days are so long.

I have failed you Baby Nathi. I cannot keep you warm. I don’t know if I am feeding you enough milk. I don’t know if anyone even knows you exist. I have nobody to call, no airtime to call them with if I did. There is no food, the wind pierces through the holes in the sheeting that serves as walls. We sit together, in the darkness that seems to permeate our mere existence. Nobody sees us.

He comes back tonight, that man from the corner. He wants something from me. I hide Baby Nathi in a fruit box in the corner. He takes what he wants. My body feels split in two. He’s a good man, the drink just makes him cross sometimes. He’s cross tonight. He wants me to remember. I stifle my tears, Baby Nathi screeches for food. I am scared. You’re a mother now Nandi. Suck it up.

For the next few days Baby Nathi cries. And I cry. And baby Nathi cries. And I cry. And the missus’s words echo in my head ‘you knew this could happen Nandi, now you must take responsibility for your actions’. If only she knew.

My name is Nandi.
I left Baby Nathi in a fruit box outside the police station.
The world is looking for me now.
They want to send me to jail.
They want to crucify me.
If he kills me tonight, will the world look for him?

My name is Nandi. I abandoned my baby. And now the world sees me.

We had another successful Empowerment Programme today on the topic of self-REspect and how to be REspectful towards others.

In total 40 youngsters, including primary and high school learners, from our afterschool programme Buddy, attended. Lunch was pREpared by our staff volunteers and each child REceived an on-the-go snack pack.

Let’s party… each “Party” represents a service we deliver. Please pick a party and support us

HAPPY BIRTHDAY we have launched our Pledge-A-Party campaign where we challenge you to share your birthday with us by challenging your friends to support your chosen party.

1. “Undercover party” - kiddies, teen boys, teen girls and ladies new underwear. (shop at Pep or Ackermans for inexpensive un**es)

2. “Pajama party” - Most kids in crisis arrive in our place of safety with the clothes on their backs. We always need PJ’s of all sizes for boys, girls and babies.

3. “Supperware party” – With so many mouths to feed we encourage you to collect non-perishable items that we can package into food parcels. Rice, stock cubes, tinned foods, mielie/maize meal, pasta, sugar, 2minute noodles, Wheatbix cereal, oats, boxed milk etc.

4. “Baby steps party” - baby clothing/supplies, nappies and Infacare formula, bum cream, Vaseline, baby shampoo, baby bottles & teats.

5. “Teeny bopper party” - toiletries/stationary. Roll on deodorant, lip-gloss/lip-ice, body spray for teen boys & girls, notebooks & pens.

6. “Behind the mask party” - goodies for r**e victims. Roll on deodorant, sanitary towels, face-cloth, bar of soap, hand cream, lip ice, notebook & pen or crayons and colouring book, soft toys.
Leggings, panties and t-shirts for ages 6 -16 years (boys and girls)

7. “Dressed for success party” - school uniforms. Help us to dress a child for school.

8. “Let’s party” – pledge a monthly birthday party for kids in our safe house or foster homes. Cost of a cake, snacks, party goodies and a small gift. (We host one party a month for all our children who have birthdays that month)

9. “Tickle a Teddy party” – Teddies & soft toys spread a little hope and happiness. For a child in crisis they bring comfort and are something to hold and something to love.

10. “Tea Party” – support a teen or parent workshop. Food supplies for the workshops, such as muffins, lunch products and/or an activity

11. “Shop til you drop party” – raise funds so we are able to take a teen out shopping for their necessities. This gives a child a sense of worth in that they are able to choose something themselves.

12. “Let’s play party” – educational toys for our Buddy program and creches

13. “Winter wonderland party” - winter warmers are a constant need. Blankets, scarves, socks and jerseys

14. “Around the world party” - fuel for our Buddy & Kids on the Move buses as they bring services to, and transport kids in crisis

15. “Share & care party” - bless our Child Welfare staff with a small gift (hand cream, cupcakes, notebooks. We recognise that they go the extra mile

16. “Hello farmer party” - fresh fruit and veggies are a luxury for many and we welcome fruit and veggies

17. “Let’s go on an adventure party” - sponsor an outing for our foster children or a cooldrink & meal during school holidays

18. “Keep a girl at school” - girls miss going to school as they don’t have sanitary towels

For more information on how to get involved please call our office 044 8740424 or drop at our office 13 Albert Street (8am til 4pm weekdays)

George Child & Family Welfare
FNB Cheque Account - 52291616310
George Branch - 210114
Please use the reference - SH & your surname.
Overseas supporters - Swiftcode is FIRNZAJJ # # #
Reference: Birthday & SURNAME


.

Keep safe in cyberspace. Apply this to your posts and teach your children well

HELP NEEDED
School holidays are starting and we have holiday programs coming up soon.
Make some playdough for your kids and a batch or two for us please.
The dough is stored well in yoghurt containers or ziplock bags and lasts for months.
Non toxic, inexpensive and lots of fun.
Drop off at our office for Samantha - 13 Albert Street / cnr Merriman Street

Nelson Mandela Day _67 Minutes

Are you someone who wants to do something amazing for 67 Minutes for Nelson Mandela Day but you have no idea where to start?

Please consider supporting our food drive - we will be collecting non-perishable foods throughout the Winter months to help alleviate the hunger and bless those in need with something to eat.
If you would like to assist us in warming hearts during this cold weather, please contact our office on 044 874 0424.

Pop by our office to purchase your raffle tickets - 13 Albert Street
Or contact Ricky 044-8740424 should you wish to EFT and Ricky will choose your lucky numbers for you. R30 per ticket or 4 tickets for R100

draw takes place on 22 June so don’t miss out

https://www.facebook.com/100063653797142/posts/680835597381561/?mibextid=cr9u03