History

The initiative for the establishment of this Child and Youth Care Centre was taken by the pastors of Universitas-West Dutch Reformed Church. Reverend Petrus Kühne and Reverend Stefan Stassen met Mrs Magda van Niekerk for the first exploratory conversation on 22 May 2003. During the same month, the sale of a portion of the property of Our Child and Youth Centre necessitated the acquisition of temporary housing for 12 children. A property of Mr Das van Deventer at 52 De Bruyn Street, Universitas-West was rented for this purpose.

On 9 October 2003, an action committee was elected to establish a Child and Youth Care Centre. The chairman was Reverend Petrus Kühne.  Mrs Wilma Henning also played a critical role. The listed property was purchased by NG Welfare. It was decided on the name “Carpe Diem” which means “Seize the day”.

Location

52 De Bruynstreet in Universitas, Bloemfontein.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to care for 12 boys of all ages who are predominantly Afrikaans-speaking. The children are representative of the white, coloured and black population groups. During 2014, a need arose for a home where only boys are housed. The centre was then turned into a boys’ home.

History
During the Anglo-Boer War Charlotte Theron, wife of the first NG Church pastor of Bethlehem began to care for orphans in the rectory. When there were too many children, they had to clear a corrugated iron building next to the rectory for the 43 children they had to take care of. She said one day “Someone brought me a goat and someone gave me a bag of flour, now I’m going to start the orphanage.” This is how the orphanage originated in 1903.

The centre consists of 9 residential units:

• Lentehof
• Pikkewyn
• Eikehof
• Esterhof
• Nonnashof
• Jania
• Dennekruin
• Jakaranda
• Karee

Location

46 Wessel Street in Bethlehem.

Children

There are separate residential units for boys and girls, as well as three Sotho dwelling units. Each residential unit has its own child care worker and functions on its own – like a large household. The centre currently cares for 123 needy children from all cultures. The ages of children range from 0 to 18 years (or until a child has completed schooling). Charlotte Theron Child and Youth Care Centre still stands firm with our motto: “The Lord will provide.”

History

The centre was established with the initiative of pastor Craige Harvey from the New Covenant Church. He was a leader in the community of Ficksburg and Meqheleng. During this time orphans were looked after informally and without subsidy from the Government. The first meeting with the community was held on the 2nd of February 2005. A Management Committee was formed and pastor Harvey was elected as the Chairperson and Mr Eddie Nthinya as Vice Chairperson. The centre was purchased by NG Welfare through Dr Jack Amour and his wife for R90 000,00.

Location

9 De Villiers Street, Ficksburg. 

Children

The centre is registered for 12 children in need of care. Boys as well as girls are cared for in the centre. Everyone is Sotho-speaking.

History

Dr Gert Maritz, the community doctor in Memel, was confronted daily with the needs of the children in the Zamani community. He recognised the impact of HIV/AIDS and began exploring ways to assist these children.

An appointment was made with the director of Free State Youth Care Centres on 7 November 2003. Amos Agrimen, a movement that spreads the Word of God on farms, offered help and support, as did Dr Ron and Ena Bromley, originally from the Damascus Road Community Church in Maryland, USA.

A founding meeting was held on 14 May 2004. During this meeting, the local social worker from the Department of Social Development, Mary Masunya, explained that there was a large number of children in need of care in the community and urgent attention was required. At this meeting, Mr JW du Toit was elected as chairman, and Mrs Inea Khumalo was elected as vice-chairman. Mrs Cilna Maritz has played an indispensable role throughout.

A plot of land was purchased from the Phumelela Municipality in Zamani, on which a spacious Children’s and Youth Care Centre was built. The name of the centre means “praise.”

Location

Site 1308, Zamani, Memel.

Children

Dumisani Child and Youth Care Centre provides care to 16 children from the local community (Memel) and surrounding areas (Vrede, Warden, Harrismith, and Frankfort). The centre can accommodate 16 Zulu children of both genders. Due to the local schools teaching only in English and Zulu, the centre primarily admits Zulu-speaking children.

History

The dynamic community of Bothaville forms an inter-church, multicultural action committee. The Bothaville Council of Mercy, together with local role players, addressed the need for two Child and Youth Care Centres in Bothaville (Afrikaans) and Naledi (Sotho) respectively.  Two centres were opened; Eikelaan Child and Youth Care Centre and Nala re Thabile Child and Youth Care Centre. The first community committee meeting was held on May 30, 2002, under the chairmanship of Rev Johan Lessing, Simon Dlamini and Jan Els with the help of the social worker, Mrs Lettie Ferreira of the Orange Women’s Association (currently known as the Free State Care in Action).  A property was bought by NG Welfare at 18 Eikelaan in Bothaville. The house was enlarged and changed to meet the needs of a Child and Youth Care Centre. The house is located on the edge of town in a quiet residential area, Meyerhof. The centre opened its doors in January 2003.

Location

18 Eikelaan Street, Bothaville.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to accommodate 12 children, Afrikaans-speaking, boys and girls, between the ages of 0 and 18 years.

History

The Executive Committee of the church council of Waterbron Dutch Reformed church, under the leadership of Dr Brand Doubell, met with the Director of Child and Youth Care on December 4, 2002. The congregation decided to take ownership of a Child and Youth Care Centre. A holding that could be used for this purpose at Scriven Road, Hartbees was purchased by the NG Welfare. President Steyn School is within walking distance of the centre. During 2005, the adjoining municipality of Bainsvlei was also involved in the project.

Location

12 Scriven Avenue, Bainsvlei in Bloemfontein.

Children

Esperanza cares for 12 children, boys and girls, mainly Afrikaans-speaking. The children are representative of white, coloured and black population groups. There is also occasionally a baby in the centre.

History

Gardenia Child and Youth Care Centre was established as a result of the initiative, motivation and perseverance of one person, namely Mrs Ansa Coetzee. She liaised for the first time with the staff of Executive Management on 30 June 2003. The first meeting of an Action Committee was held on 13 October 2003. At the event, Mr Henk van Zyl was elected as chairman. The Dutch Reformed congregations of Gardenia, Hertzogville and Soutpan accepted ownership of the centre. A property was purchased at 68 Nerina Street, Gardenia Park by NG Welfare. It was broken down and enlarged to meet the needs of a Child and Youth Care Centre. The centre was later known in colloquial language as “House Nerina”. The motto of the centre is: God with us.

Location

68 Nerina Street, Gardenia Park in Bloemfontein. 

Children

The house cares for 12 children, boys and girls of all ages and races, mainly Afrikaans-speaking. The children are currently representative of the white and coloured population groups. They attend various schools in the community, ranging from mainstream education to special education.

History

After the Anglo-Boer War, Reverend Marquard became aware of the plight of the numerous orphans on farms in the Ladybrand area. In memory of all the women and children who died during the war, an orphanage was established in Ladybrand, named “Gedenk.” The orphanage was founded in 1904. Children were cared for in large groups, typically consisting of 25 children of similar age and gender, under the supervision of a matron. A total of 155 children were cared for at the orphanage.

The second phase in the development of facilities for children during the 1960s involved the establishment of orphanages. Over time, the residents of these orphanages were no longer solely orphans, but children who required care because their parents were unable to meet their needs.  The majority of children at the Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre did not originate from Ladybrand. A significant number of children came from the Rand, with fewer than 10 children coming from the local area.  The management of Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre convened on 12 June 2001, during which it was decided to discontinue the service in its current form at the earliest opportunity. As the process unfolded, residents and childcare workers were transferred to decentralised Child and Youth Care Centres.

In 2002, the centre was downsized to three residential units, and by 2003, it was further reduced to a single residential unit, capable of caring for 12 to 16 children. The existing orphanage was sold, and the proceeds were allocated to a fund dedicated to the continuation of services and the decentralisation process. The services of one of the childcare workers, Mrs Annatjie Stahmer, were retained for the decentralised centre. One of the residential units from the “old” orphanage was upgraded to serve as a decentralised Child and Youth Care Centre. It was decided to retain the name Gedenk / “Memorial.” 

A new management team was formed, consisting of local individuals. Mr Rassie van der Westhuizen played a significant role as the chairman of the finance committee, where he actively contributed his time, resources, and expertise to the centre. The “new” decentralised centre was officially registered as a Child and Youth Care Centre on 31 March 2003, in accordance with the Child Care Act.

Location

1 Collin Street, Ladybrand.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to care for 12 children. The children at the centre come from the coloured and Se-Sotho population groups and attend various schools in the community, with educational placements ranging from regular stream to special needs education.

History

This Child and Youth Care Centre is a project of the Berg en Dal group of churches. It consists of four Dutch Reformed congregations; Berg en Dal, De Bloem, Bloemfontein-North and Hugenote. The chairman of the Child Care Committee’s husband is an architect and played a leading role in the plans and finalisation of the Child and Youth Care Centre’s buildings. The Child and Youth Care Centre was occupied in December 2004.

Location

65 Gladstone Road, Bayswater in Bloemfontein.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to take care of 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls. The children are representative of the white, coloured and black population groups who are mainly Afrikaans-speaking.

History

On June 14, 2004, a meeting was convened with the Clocolan community to explore the feasibility of establishing a Child and Youth Care Centre. Before this, two meetings were held with local groups, during which it was revealed that 35 children, some as young as 6 years old, were living under a bridge near the rubbish dumps. These children, many of whom were orphaned or abandoned, were receiving food through a local feeding scheme. In response to this, a management committee was formed, with Mrs Marietha Groenewald appointed as chairperson and Mr Paulus Phala as vice-chairperson.

Initially, temporary accommodation was arranged at 34 Third Avenue East, Clocolan, rented from Mr Aranyana, until more permanent arrangements could be made. At first, the children had to sleep on foam mattresses on the floor. However, a suitable building was later purchased by NG Welfare and renovated into a Child and Youth Care Centre, capable of caring for 15 boys and 15 girls. The centre was officially opened in 2005 and registered as a Child and Youth Care Centre.

Adjacent to the Child and Youth Care Centre was a community hall that hosted programs for the youth and children of Clocolan. The centre’s spacious yard allowed for the planting of fruit trees and the creation of a vegetable garden. It was decided to name the centre Hlohloloane, a historically significant name derived from a Basotho word. The name originates from a dispute in 1800 between two black tribes, the Bakwena and the Baphuti. The Bakwena tribe, having a successful grain harvest, requested help from the Baphuti tribe to fill baskets with grain. The conflict began during this task, and the headman intervened, saying “Hlohla-U-loane,” which translates to “Stamp (pound) and fight.” Over time, the name evolved and was simplified to Clocolan by an Englishman, Mr Anderson.

Location

30 Second Avenue East, Clocolan.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to accommodate and provide care for up to 30 children, consisting of 15 boys and 15 girls, with ages ranging from 4 to 18 years. The children attend local schools based on their individual needs. The facility is divided into two sections, with the kitchen located in the center. Two childcare workers are responsible for attending to the children’s needs.   All of the children at the centre are Sotho-speaking. In addition to their academic pursuits, the children actively participate in school activities, including athletics, football, traditional dances, debate and drama.

History

House Amor evolved from the original house for unmarried mothers called Susanna Coetzee House. The original house was set up to house and care for women who, after the Anglo-Boer War, had nowhere to stay and for women who had been released from prison. In 1909 a rescue centre was established at 13 Reitz Street, Bloemfontein, which was maintained by Christians from the community.

In 1966 the services were taken over by the Synodal Commission of the Dutch Reformed Church where unmarried mothers were cared for. In 1970, a larger building was established at 20 Van Heerden Street, Bloemfontein, to accommodate 24 unmarried mothers. From 1970 to 2002, 1 300 mothers were assisted in the Susanna Coetzee House, but with the change in abortion legislation, the need for this service diminished. In 2003, the management realised that the need for the home was not big enough to help only unmarried mothers and the Dutch Reformed Church, Langenhovenpark, was approached to take over the responsibility of the centre. The centre would then house needy girls as well as girls experiencing a crisis with a pregnancy. The house was moved to 12A Faurelaan in Wilgehof and the name later changed to House Amor.

Location

2A Faure Avenue, Wilgehof in Bloemfontein.

Children

House Amor Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to accommodate 10 girls and 2 pregnant girls from different cultural groups. Usually, a pregnant girl who experiences a crisis with a pregnancy is admitted to the centre two months before her due date. She will receive the necessary care and support at the centre and special guidance so that she can make an informed decision about the future of the baby.

History

In 2006, the Social Worker of KMD responsible for the Bainsvlei area became aware of the large number of children in the community who were affected by HIV / AIDS. The Dutch Reformed Church in Waterbron and Universitas decided to provide a service together with other role players for the orphans, victims of domestic violence and rape.

Two years later, the program was adjusted for home care, a vegetable garden project, a soup kitchen and the care of 34 children. The building was rented from the Municipal Clinic at Bainsvlei. The building was restored, enlarged and converted into an orphanage. The Dutch Reformed Church provided funds for this purpose. Two congregations of the group of churches also provided the necessary furniture and equipment. The management of Social Services of the Dutch Reformed Churches in Bloemfontein decided at a meeting held on 25 May 2009 that the facility should be developed into a Child and Youth Care Centre.

The number of children in the centre was reduced to 24. The infrastructure of the centre deteriorated and an alternative option was sought. In 2019, Deo Juvante Child and Youth Care Centre closed after it was no longer sustainable. The Deo Juvante building was restored and altered to accommodate the 24 Children from House of Compassion. In May 2020, the centre moved to the new premises. The children now have more space and are very proud of their new home.

Location

4 Faure Avenue, Willows in Bloemfontein.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to take care of 24 predominantly Sotho-speaking children, 12 girls and 12 boys. The centre provides the basic needs for these children. The children are representative of the coloured and black population groups. They attend different schools in the community.

History

In August 2002, the Department of Social Development reached out to the Executive of Free State Child and Youth Care Centres regarding the potential establishment of a decentralised centre in the Qwa-Qwa area. On the 1^st of August 2003, Dr Gideon van der Walt and Reverend Dries van der Merwe of the United Reformed Church contacted the Child and Youth Care Centre on behalf of the congregation in Witsieshoek, requesting assistance with the establishment of a new centre.

The congregation had an old rectory, which appeared to be a suitable building for the purpose. An informational meeting with the community was held on 21 August, 2003. Lefika Child and Youth Care Centre was officially registered as a children’s home on 2 September 2003, under Section 30 of the Child Care Act. Reverend Dries van der Merwe was elected as chairman, and Mr Kokoi was appointed as vice-chairman. The centre was located in the Mabolela area, near Witsieshoek, at the foot of a mountain. The name Lefika means “mountain.”

Relocation to Kestell

On 19  May 2014, Lefika Child and Youth Care Centre relocated from Qwa-Qwa to Kestell, and a new governing body was appointed, consisting of members from the Kestell community. A house was purchased in Kestell, and the necessary construction work was done to meet the requirements of the Child and Youth Care Centre.

Reasons for Relocation

The relocation was prompted by several factors. Reverend Dries van der Merwe, the chairman, moved to the Cape, and at that time, the financial situation of Lefika was concerning. The other active governing bodies that had been assisting, were primarily from Kestell. Additionally, the daily transport costs of sending children to Retief High School in Kestell played a significant role in the decision. The move to Kestell brought several positive outcomes, including increased involvement and support from Retief High School in the management of the centre.

Location

28 Cilliers Street, Kestell.

Children

The centre provides for 12 children in need of care. The residents consist of boys and girls who are all Sotho-speaking and their ages vary between 3 and 17 years.

History

A survey in 2002 showed that there were 52 children from the Xhariep region in orphanages in Bloemfontein, Winburg and Bethlehem. It was decided to investigate the possibility of establishing a centre in Koffiefontein because the town had schools and the necessary infrastructure. In March 2002, three meetings with the community and various meetings with other role players such as De Beers Central Mines, the Dutch Reformed Church, Letsemeng Municipality and the local schools were held. On 9 September 2002, NG Welfare received notice that De Beers’ Koffiefontein diamond mine would donate a house on a holding called “The Park” to be developed as a Child and Youth Care Centre. The property was previously occupied by the Mine Manager.

Location

“The Park”, Edward Road in Koffiefontein.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to take care of 24 children. The children are representative of the coloured and black population groups, mainly Afrikaans-speaking.  They attend different schools in the community. All the children are of school-going age and most are young teenagers.

History

The establishment of Maanblom Child and Youth Care Centre was discussed at a meeting on 27 August 2002. There were 26 children from this area in the orphanage in Winburg. This was the great motivation for the decentralisation. Persons involved with the children had to drive to Winburg to visit them as well as the community to give donations. Together, Hennenman and Virginia’s communities decided on the establishment and management of the centre. They decided on Virginia because of the special education school in the town. The first board meeting took place on the 17th of September 2002. At the event, Mr Oscar van Wyk was elected as chairman. The furniture for Maanblom came from Winburg orphanage. The women on the management committee worked very hard to furnish and equip the centre so that it could be converted into a homely environment for the children. They will always be remembered with great gratitude

Location

10 Maanblom Street, Virginia.

Children

The centre is registered to take care of 12 children who have been placed there by the Children’s Court for various reasons. There are also orphans in the centre. It was decided that the centre would become a boys’ home instead of both sexes. The languages spoken in the centre are English and Afrikaans. The composition of the children in Maanblom varies because we cater for the needs of the Virginia, Hennenman, Welkom and Bronville communities. Children are placed again with parents, foster parents and family as soon as we are sure that it is in their best interest. We rarely have vacancies at the centre because the need is so great.

History

The first six residents moved into the new Marquard Child and Youth Care Centre on Friday, 15 August 2008. This centre is the 32nd  decentralised centre (children’s home) of Free State Child and Youth Care Centres. The centre cares for needy children from the communities of Marquard and Moemaneng. The building was donated by Christen Bedieninge and was renovated with funds from Christen Bedieninge, NG Welsyn and the community. Donations of furniture and equipment came from several churches, community groups, the Volksblad Kersfonds and individuals.

Location

9 Jakob Makoelle Street, Marquard.

Children

The centre is registered to care for 16 Sotho children, boys and girls, from toddlers to teenagers. The centre provides for the physical and educational needs of the children as well as their therapeutic and medical care.

History

The growing need for a safe place to live for children in need ensured the establishment of the Merafong Child and Youth Care Centre. The Witness Commission of the Dutch Reformed Church built the house in Hyslop Street, Welkom. This was the former rectory of Dr Lourens Erasmus, made available for Merafong Child and Youth Care Centre. The congregation of Merafong West Park accepted responsibility for the project on the 16th of March 2008 with the support of members of the church. The adjoining Dutch Reformed Church, Welkom-West promised support. The first meeting with the community was held on 17 November. Merafong can accommodate 12 Sotho-speaking boys. The first 6 boys moved in in April 2009. The centre’s emblem is a mine shaft. Welkom is known for its gold mines. The name “Merafong” means “Place of Gold”. Every child is as precious as gold and that is what the children are taught – they are important and valuable. The centre is spacious and neat with a well-kept garden.  The motto of the centre is: Romans 8:31 “God is for us, who can be against us?”

Location

3 Hyslop Street, Seagull Park in Welkom. 

Children

Merafong is registered to house 12 Sesotho boys aged between 0 and 18 years. The children attend the service of the Dutch Reformed Church Reitzpark every Sunday. They also go to Sunday school classes and the Youth Club of the church. They are taught good Christian values ​​that help them make wise decisions. Reverend Pheko (the chairman, as well as a retired pastor) also visits the centre once a week.

History

The dynamic community of Bothaville formed a multi-cultural action committee with members from different churches. Local role players addressed the need for two Child and Youth Care Centres respectively in Bothaville (Afrikaans) and Naledi (Sotho). That is how Eikelaan and Nala re Thabile Child and Youth Care Centres were established. The first community committee meeting was held on 30 May 2002, with Rev Johan Lessing, Simon Dlamini and Jan Els with help from the social worker, Mrs Lettie Ferreira from the Oranje Women Society (now known as the Free State Care in Action).

On the 10th of February 2005, Dutch Reformed Welfare purchased the premises of New Holland. The office buildings on the site were converted into a Child and Youth Care Centre at little cost.  The property was subdivided and rezoned into a spacious, but manageable site. The office complex was transformed into a proud Child and Youth Care Centre. An amount of R651 601 was spent. Reverend Hennie Hattingh was elected as the first chairman and Reverend Simon Dlamini as Vice-Chairman during the first meeting held with the community on the 24th of November 2005. The centre officially opened in June 2006. Since the opening of the centre, the centre has been modified to care for 24 children in 2009 and 30 children in 2019.  The children are an embodiment of happiness.  The name Nala re Thabile means – “that we are happy”.

Location

12, 7th Avenue, Industrial Area in Bothaville.

Children

The centre cares for children from pre-primary school to high school. Some of the residents have chronic illnesses but can function normally with the necessary chronic medication, balanced lifestyle and regular medical examinations. Most children have extended families with whom they can go on holidays.

History

In April 1914, during a pivotal meeting of the Dutch Reformed Church, Reverend Kestell recognised a pressing social need and proposed the establishment of a home for neglected children. This initiative marked the beginning of a significant journey towards supporting vulnerable children in the Bloemfontein area. Taking swift action, a house was rented on Victoria Road, and within a short time, six children were provided shelter and care.

The vision of Reverend Kestell came to fruition with the official opening of the Child and Youth Care Centre, affectionately known as “Ons Kinderhuis,” on 11 September 1914. This institution was founded on the principles of compassion and community responsibility, aiming to provide a safe haven for children in need of care and protection.

As a tribute to Reverend Kestell’s enduring legacy, every February, children from the Centre participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at his grave, coordinated by the Friends of the War Museum. This annual tradition highlights the historical connection between the Centre and its founder, honouring his commitment to the best interest of children.

Today, Ons Kinderhuis stands as one of only two campus Child and Youth Care Centres in the Free State, supported by a dedicated staff of 40 individuals. The centre continues to fulfil its mission of safeguarding and nurturing children, ensuring they have the opportunity for a brighter future.

Bolokanang Child and Youth Care Centre was established as a part of the decentralised centres in the Motheo region, welcoming its first children in April 2008. Situated on the picturesque banks of the Modder River, near the popular Maselspoort and Phillip Sanders holiday resorts, the name “Bolokanang” reflects the core value of communal care, translating to “to look after each other.”

Despite the centre’s noble intentions and dedicated mission, it faced challenges related to sustainability due to its location. As the needs of the children and the community evolved, it became evident that a collaborative approach would enhance the welfare of those in care. Consequently, in August 2023, Bolokanang Child and Youth Care Centre was amalgamated with Our Child and Youth Care Centre, thereby integrating its resources and services into the larger campus setting.

This merger allowed for a stronger, more comprehensive support system for children, enabling both centres to operate under a unified mission, with enhanced facilities and staffing to better serve the community’s youth in need. The collaboration signifies a commitment to ensuring that all children receive the attention, care and stability they deserve within a supportive environment.

Location

43 Victoria Road, Willows in Bloemfontein.

The centre consists of 10 residential units:

• Vastrap
• Welverdiend
• Dagbreek
• Lentedou
• Blydskap
• Doephuis
• Môredou
• Vredehoek
• Herberg
• Bolokanang

Children

Our Child and Youth Care Centre currently provides a nurturing and supportive environment for 152 children from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, with ages spanning from infancy to 18 years, or until each child completes their schooling. The centre features a structured approach to care, comprising five residential units for boys and five for girls.

Children at the centre attend 20 different schools, tailored to meet their unique educational needs, ensuring they receive appropriate support and opportunities for learning. For those with special educational requirements, several children are housed in a hostel at Amari School for Special Needs Children in Welkom, allowing them access to specialised resources and programmes.

Each residential unit is intentionally designed to cater to the specific needs of different age groups, fostering a sense of belonging and community among the children. Within these units, each is staffed by a dedicated child and youth care worker and an assistant, enabling them to operate independently as large households. This structure promotes individualised attention and care but also helps instill life skills and social dynamics, preparing the children for successful reintegration into society as they grow.

Overall, the centre emphasises a holistic approach to child and youth care, prioritising the emotional, educational and developmental well-being of every child in its care.

History

The Group of Churches in Kroonstad met on the 20th of July 2004 with the aim of investigating the establishment of a youth care centre in town. During the meeting, the members took note that: more than 50 children from Kroonstad were in the orphanages in Bethlehem and Bloemfontein; and
a process of decentralization and transformation of the orphanages into smaller child and youth care centres had already begun.

The Dutch Reformed Churches decided to accept ownership of a youth care centre in Kroonstad. A suitable property at 89 Marais Street, Presidentia, Kroonstad was owned by NG Welfare purchased from mr Spahmer. The property was enlarged and altered in order to meet the needs of the cente.

The first chairman of the board was Reverend Barry Fourie and the vice-chairman was mr Christo Barnard. mr Wynand Smit played a key role throughout as chairman of the Finance Committee and mrs Tillie Fourie as chair of the Child Care Committee.

An application was made on the 17th of August 2005 to register Presidentia Youth Care Centre as a Children’s Home in terms of Art. 30 of the Child Care Act.

Location
89 Marais Street, Kroonstad.

Children
The centre is registered to accommodate 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls. Children are placed in the care of the centre by the Children’s Court. Children come from different cultural backgrounds and their ages range from 1 year old to 18 years old.

History

Ringer Street Child and Youth Care Centre is a community project in which all the role players in the community are involved. Mrs Cecile Krause, who became aware of the need of the local children at a nutrition project of the Dutch Reformed Church took the initiative for the establishment of a Child and Youth Care Centre. Mrs Magda van Niekerk, the former Director of the Child and Youth Care Centres, held the first meeting with the community on the 20th of January 2004. Christo Krause was elected as the first chairman. The house on the corner of Ringer and Kerk Streets was bought by NG Welfare. Construction and demolition took place to make the house suitable as a Child and Youth Care Centre. The centre opened on the 10th of January 2005.

Location

40 Ringer Street, Heilbron.

Children

The centre currently houses 12 Sotho-speaking children from the community and surrounding towns. The ages of the children range from baby to 18 years.

History

The community of Sasolburg has contributed for many years to Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladybrand. In 2001, it was decided to decentralise Gedenk Children’s Home. There were then about 30 children from Sasolburg in the Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre. On the 13th of August 2001, the first two community meetings were held in the Community Hall in Sasolburg. A large number of people attended the meeting, including Martie and Hennie Wagener who were involved with Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre. Mr Don Esplin was elected chairman, Reverend Hans van Deventer as vice-chairman. It was decided to establish two residential units to provide care to 24 children.

Two houses at 22 Vlaardingen Street and 31 Hans van Rensburg Street were purchased, enlarged and adapted to meet the needs of 12 children each. The furniture was obtained from Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre. The first social worker was Mrs Wilna Hansen and the first two child care workers were Mrs Fienie Pienaar and Annette van der Walt. The first 24 children admitted were all originally from Sasolburg and the surrounding area. The centres have been in operation since 14 January 2002. The management decided to appoint Ansie Venter as the liaison officer. Sasolburg Child and Youth Care Centres were among the first decentralised homes to open in the Free State in 2002.

Location

The Boys’ House: 22 Vlaardingen Street, Sasolburg.

Girls’ House: 31 Hans van Rensburg Street, Sasolburg.

Children

Sasolburg Child and Youth Care Centre consists of two residential units and cares for 12 boys and 12 girls respectively. The children’s ages range from babies to 18 years old. Children from different cultural backgrounds are cared for in the centres.

History

In 2001, the Dutch Reformed Group of Churches in the Lindley area decided to establish a decentralised Child and Youth Care Centre within the Presbytery. The group had previously been involved with Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladybrand. This marked the beginning of the decentralisation and transformation process. Senekal was selected as the location due to its infrastructure and resources compared to other towns in the area.

The first meeting of the action committee was held on the 10th of October 2001. During the meeting, Reverend Otto Lessing of the Dutch Reformed Church in Senekal North was elected as chairman, and Moruti Michael Mackane of the Dutch Reformed Church of Africa was appointed as vice-chairman. Various properties were considered before the decision was made to purchase 34 De Villiers Street from a local lawyer. Much of the furniture used to equip the centre was sourced from Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre.

Location

34 De Villiers Street, Senekal.

Children

The centre provides care to 12 children, of any age and gender. Most children come from the local community and the centre makes an effort to involve the parents in their children’s care and development.

History

Thusano means “We work together” and that is what happened in 1999. Many children were walking around in the streets, clearly neglected and not attending school. A committee was formed and what happened next is close to a miracle. The whole community stood together. About 50 children were given a meal at the centre and were helped to attend school. The municipality donated a building in Masilo, Theunissen. It was converted into a house where the children could stay and others came during the day to eat and study. On the 5th of June 2002, Thusano was registered as a Child and Youth Care Centre of the Free State Child and Youth Care Centre’s decentralisation project and was registered to accommodate 15 children.

Location

1171 Masilo, Theunissen.

Children
The youth care centre is registered to care of 15 children. The children are representative of the Sotho population group. The children attend the surrounding schools and church services at Grace Miracle Church.

History

In the area, there was a hospice for people with HIV/AIDS. Sometimes, the dying individuals brought their children with them, leaving the children orphaned at the hospice. Recognising the need for a separate place to accommodate and care for these children, two doctors purchased a house in the area and transformed it into a safe haven for the orphans. In 2010, Engo became involved in the home and initiated the process of registering Tshepang as a Child and Youth Care Centre.

Location

Plot 5, Rev. Kotze Street, Ferreira in Bloemfontein.

Children

The Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to care for 12 children, providing for their basic needs. These children, who are predominantly from black population groups, are mostly orphaned. Most of the children are teenagers.

History

A community meeting was held on the 20th of September 2001 in Viljoenskroon to reflect on the possible establishment of a Child and Youth Care Centre in the town. Mrs Lizanne Wilken, the social worker of Social Services of the Dutch Reformed Church and formerly of Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre, made the arrangements for the meeting. On the 23rd of October 2001, the first Management Meeting was held and the centre was established as a result of the process of decentralisation. The house of  Mrs Crous, a widow at 49 Piet Retief Street, was bought by NG Welfare. The house was spacious and a few changes were initially made. The centre was equipped with furniture from Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladybrand. In 2006 NG Welfare allocated money to make improvements to the house and a girls wing, lounge and an office for the social worker were added.

Location

49 Piet Retief Street, Viljoenskroon.

Children
The centrecan accommodate 12 children – 6 boys and 6 girls. The children’s ages range from babies to teens.

History

Reverend Kotie Marais, pastor of Vrede-West Dutch Reformed Church and his wife were house parents at Gedenk Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladybrand. When the process of decentralisation and transformation of the large orphanages began, he felt called, in the light of their experience, to take the lead in the process in Vrede. The community was visited on the 8th of March 2002. The first Management Meeting was held on the 9th of April 2002. At the meeting, Reverend Kotie Marais was elected Chairman and Mr Piet Steyn Vice-chairman. The Child and Youth Care Centre opened in June 2002.

Location

100 Kühn Street, Vrede.

Children

Vrede Child and Youth Care Centre is registered to take care of 12 children, boys and girls, Afrikaans-speaking, between the ages of 0 and 18 years.

History

A building was donated to NG Welfare by the Gold Fields Mining Group in 2001 for the establishment of Child and Youth Care Centre at 13 and 15 Othello Street. It is located on the border of Bedelia and St Helena neighbourhoods in Welkom. The management and staff of Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre were initially very closely involved in the project. A needs assessment revealed that at that time 57 children from the Goudveld were cared for in the orphanage at Winburg.

Two Child and Youth Care Centres opened in the Riebeeckstad neighbourhood and some of these management members, especially lawyer Oberholzer, assisted with the establishment of management and committees at Welkom Child and Youth Care Centre. The group of churches in the Welkom area also undertook to provide support. During a meeting held on the 6th of May 2003, the group of churches decided as follows: a group of churches decided to become part of the Child and Youth Care Centre project as part of a community project.

The following Dutch Reformed Church members will serve as members of the management: Mrs M. Delport, G. Haylett, B. Mostert and a representative of the Dutch Reformed Church St. Helena who will be appointed by the church council of the relevant congregation. Reverend Scholtz was then appointed by the congregation. The official opening of the centre took place on the 1stof May 2004.

The original building was demolished and upgraded. Funds were specifically spent on the construction of a large living room for the children and a pleasant apartment for the house parents. These funds were obtained from Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre. The Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre provided the first furniture. The community also made large financial contributions. Clear Water Pools donated a swimming pool to the great delight of the children. Nedbank donated beds and various businesses, such as the casino, made contributions.

Location

13 & 15 Othello Road, St. Helena in Welkom.

Children

Welkom Child and Youth Care Centre is registered for the care of 12 children. The centre always has two babies in Place of Safekeeping. These are babies who are made available for adoption and are cared for in the centre before the adoption takes place or possibly another placement.

History

In 2001, it was decided to decentralise Winburg Orphanage. There were then about 30 children from the Goldfields area in the orphanage. On the 11th of July 2002, an Action Committee met in Riebeeckstad. Freegold (Harmony Gold) donated 4 mining houses on Liszt Street. The houses were connected in pairs and converted into two beautiful units opposite each other, with funding from NG Welfare.  The name originated as follows: Wel – represents Welkom, Rie – represents Riebeeckstad and Dal – represents Odendaalsrus

Location

Welriedal Child and Youth Care Centre is located in Riebeeckstad, near Welkom in the Free State Goldfields.

Welriedal Child and Youth Care Centre has 2 houses:

• Welriedal 1 at Lisztstreet 1 and 3
• Welriedal 2 at Lisztstreet 2 and 4

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Children

All the boys live in Welriedal 1. Across the street, all the girls live in Welriedal 2. The children are all between 0 and 18 years old and come from different cultural groups. We act as a Place of Safety in an emergency and then there are more than 12 children in the house for a while.

History

Winburg Orphanage was established in 1903. Reverend J.J.T. Marquard, with the help of the Dutch Reformed Church and the community, decided to create a home for the orphans. The centre is on the same site as the original orphanage, namely Gillespie Street, Winburg. The first head of the centre was Miss Murray. She started the orphanage with 11 children. Their mothers died in the concentration camps.

The orphanage’s name was changed to Winburg Orphanage in 1966 at the request of the residents. During 1971 the management decided that the buildings no longer met the needs of the children and construction began on a new complex for 164 children. As the building progressed, the demolition of the old building began systematically. The new building was occupied in March 1973. During 2000 the name was changed to Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre.  

From 1902  to 1905 three large orphanages were established by the Dutch Reformed Church in the Free State, namely Our Children’s Home (220 children) in Bloemfontein, Charlotte Theron Children’s Home (280 children) in Bethlehem and Gedenk Children’s Home (155 children) in Ladybrand. The activities of the orphanages were coordinated and directed by the Synodal Commission for the Service of Mercy (SKDB) of the Dutch Reformed Church.

During 2000, this commission looked at different models for the care of law-abiding children to ensure that, despite many changes, action was still being taken in the best interests of the children. The service had to be efficient and affordable. It should alleviate the need for as many children as possible to an acceptable standard. On the 29th of August 2001, the establishment of an overarching management structure was approved. Power of attorney was granted to the body to convert some of the existing assets of the orphanages into cash to finance a new model.

The first meeting of the Executive Committee for Free State Child and Youth Care Centres was held on the 21st of September 2001. The model decided upon was that a Therapeutic Centre be established on the site of Our Children’s Home. The centre was to provide care, education, development and treatment to 100 children with special needs. A further 600 children would be cared for in 50 decentralised centres, which are spread across the province. It was decided that about 12 children of both sexes and all ages would be cared for in a decentralised centre.

Each centre will employ a child care worker, a general assistant and a part-time relief child care worker, as well as a part-time social worker. Executive management begins the process of decentralisation by decentralising Gedenk Children’s Home in Ladybrand. Since 2002, there has only been one decentralised child and Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladybrand. The name Gedenk was retained. After this, Our Children’s Home is transformed into a Therapeutic centre. During 2005, the plan, which was largely on paper, also became a reality for Winburg. The converted units, which have been upgraded and fenced off as separate facilities, have been occupied since September 2006. Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre is now registered with the Department of Social Development as a Child and Youth Care Centre for the care of 30 children.

The children themselves helped to move from the large facility to the smaller centre with only two units. Management revised the constitution and management plan to keep pace with the process of decentralisation and transformation. The motto of the centre is: “The Lord will provide”. It has been the experience of the facility for over 100 years already. The coat of arms of the centre consists of a combined anchor and cross motif. The anchor refers to steadfastness and the cross serves as the Christian symbol.  The two residential units are known as House Diamond for the boys and House Emerald for the girls.

Location

13 & 15 Gillespie Street, Winburg. 

Children

There are 15 boys and 15 girls in the care of the Winburg Child and Youth Care Centre. The children speak Sotho, English and Afrikaans. Both the child care workers are qualified and registered with the SACSSP as prescribed and required.