CHILD Welfare hosted their AGM last week at the Word of Truth Ministry, where great news was shared regarding the children currently being catered for by Child Welfare.
The event itself, albeit humble and modest, was a gathering of people who spend their time in service, celebrating this year’s accomplishments for children in need of care.
Child Welfare Port Alfred is a non-profit organisation, responsible for the welfare of the needs of children under the age of 10 who have no one else to call family.
“To raise someone else’s child is not an easy task,” said Child Welfare management committee chairperson, Arthur Isaacs. Isaacs thanked all his staff, from social workers to volunteers, and especially foster mothers at the organisation’s facilities.
“They are the ones who take care of our children. Thank you for looking them, we appreciate you,” Isaacs said.
According to Child Welfare treasurer Gunther Johannsen, the organisation has sufficient funding to keep it running for, at most, a year after meeting all their financial obligations.
“We only had Lotto funding in this financial year,” Johannsen said, explaining that the Lotto Fund only provides funds every two years.
“We have just over R800 000 in the bank,” said Johannesen who added his personal farewell to the Child Welfare community, which he has been a part of for the past ten years.
Even though the organisation receives social grants, Isaacs wished to dispel the false notion that a social grant equates to free money. According to Isaacs, people tend to associate government grants with riches.
Isaacs said that even though the organisation has money in the bank; it needs to take a more corporate take on management procedures, as there increase in supply and demand in the national economy has led to an increase in financial pressure. Isaacs feels that, as more NGOs open up, child welfare has been pushed lower down the financial support list. He said the main factor behind the decrease in supply in a climate of increased demand falls on national governance in South Africa.
Isaacs wished to extend an invitation to all members of the community to join the child welfare community.
LEBOGANG TLOU
