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Christina Kiddie Child and Youth Care Centre: A lifeline for vulnerable children
by Noordkaap Bulletin in Community, Lifestyle, News on 9 July 2025
How is transparency and accountability in managing fund assured?
The management committee uses a bookkeeper to manage finances in accordance with the centre’s financial policy and procedures. The bookkeeper provides monthly financial reports to the committee and quarterly financial reports to the DSD. The centre’s financial records are audited annually and no challenges were ever reported by the auditors. The chairperson, vice-chairperson and treasurer are the signatories of the centre’s bank account.
What are some of the challenges?
Limited resources to assist children with emotional, behavioural and scholastic challenges, including psychologists, occupational therapists and centres specialising in care for children with special needs or serious behavioural challenges.
We have a general medical practitioner, optometrist and dentist who provide medical care free of charge to our children. Behaviour modification strategies are implemented, but not always successful. Finances to maintain the building and garden, and to be in a position to pay more market-related salaries to staff.
Our staff take care of traumatised children, which often also have an emotional impact on their own emotional functioning and well-being. The manager and internal social worker provides trauma debriefing to staff on an individual and group level.
How is the centre’s impact in the community measured?
All the children have external social workers who render services to the children’s parents and/or family members. The said social workers communicate on a regular basis with the centre’s internal social worker to report and address challenges. A family group conference is held annually, or more if needed, for each family. This is attended by the centre’s social worker and manager, the child(ren) concerned and the child’s parents / family members, and facilitated by the external social worker.
This provides opportunity for discussion of progress and challenges between the parties involved, as well as planning of services to the child and the parents/family. Regular interaction between the centre and the principals and educators of the schools our children attend, provide opportunity for feedback on the impact of services to the children.
What role does collaboration with other organisations or government play?
The DSD is the main source of income, but also provide guidance in service delivery and does regular assessment and monitoring of the functioning of the centre and the services to the children.
The social workers of the department and welfare organisations render family reunification services to the parents and/or family of the children. This enables children to visit their parents/family during exit weekends and school holidays. In some cases the parents’ circumstances and parental capacity improve to such an extent that a child can be re-unified with their parents/family.
The kindness, support and empathy of the schools our children attend, are remarkable and means a lot to management, staff and the children.
How do you engage donors and encourage long-term support?
Quarterly reports to the DSD give feedback on progress, services rendered, and the income and expenditure of the centre. This report, as well as the annual report are available to the community and donors. We believe in personal contact with donors and potential donors, as well as feedback on how donations are utilised. They usually find a tour through the building and interaction with the children and staff informative and insightful.
Potential donors usually enquire about our specific needs, which makes donations more personal and relevant.
Can you share a success story?
Families’ circumstances unfortunately often cause children to stay in the centre until they turn 18 years of age or completed their school career. The centre’s social worker makes an effort to assist matriculants to apply for admission at tertiary institutions, and for bursaries.
A matriculant of 2023 was part of the Griqua Rugby Academy. The centre provided emotional and material support, while a donor enabled her to have proper accommodation for the duration of her year at the academy.
Parents can visit children on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Through the development and strengthening of parent-child relationships some children could enjoy daily visits to their parents with the permission/approval of the external social worker.
What plans do you have for future growth and expansion?
We have many plans and dreams to ensure that our children experience a home and care as closely as possible to a “normal” family life. Our children’s emotional well-being is very important to us.
People who are interested in being weekend or holiday parents can contact the social worker, Chrizelna Coetzer, for the necessary application forms and screening process.
Others plans include
Donations can be dropped off daily until 21:00 at Christina Kiddie at 91 Halkett Road, opposite the Newton Primary School in Kimberley.
Christina Kiddie Child and Youth Care Centre: A lifeline for vulnerable children
by Noordkaap Bulletin in Community, Lifestyle, News on 9 July 2025
Charné Kemp talked to Christelle Hattingh, manager of the Christina Kiddie Child and Youth Care Centre in Kimberley.
The centre was established in 1972 for babies of unmarried mothers (“ongehude moeders”) who were unable to take care of their children. Its core mission now is providing full-time alternative care to children in need of care and protection. These children are placed in terms of the Children’s Act and by a Children’s Court.How are children placed in Christina Kiddie?
Social workers identify children in need of alternative care and enquire from us if we have space for the specific child. If we have, the social worker approaches the Children’s Court with a complete report based on their investigation and assessment – with the recommendation of a placement at Christina Kiddie.
The social workers usually first try to find family members or other persons who can take the child(ren) in foster care, as it is best to care for a child within a family and environment known to the child. However, sometimes circumstances necessitate a placement within a child and youth care centre. The Children’s Act is clear on serving, protecting and promoting the best interest of all children whenever a decision needs to made about a child’s care.
What are major ongoing projects?
Our core business is to provide for the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of 28 children aged four to 18 years. Although we receive a subsidy from the Department of Social Development (DSD) for the salary of our social worker and an amount per child per month, these funds are not sufficient to provide in all the needs and to cover all expenses.
We generate funds in an ongoing and sustainable manner to provide three balanced meals, toiletries, clothes, linen, school uniform, stationery, and more for our children, while also pay salaries and cover running costs like transport, electricity and cleaning material.
We are really blessed to receive a lot of pre-loved clothes, linen and toys for our children.
Two ongoing fundraising projects are a shop where we sell second-hand clothes which we cannot use ourselves, and baking biscuits and rusks.
Social workers identify children in need of alternative care and enquire from us if we have space for the specific child. If we have, the social worker approaches the Children’s Court with a complete report based on their investigation and assessment – with the recommendation of a placement at Christina Kiddie.
The social workers usually first try to find family members or other persons who can take the child(ren) in foster care, as it is best to care for a child within a family and environment known to the child. However, sometimes circumstances necessitate a placement within a child and youth care centre. The Children’s Act is clear on serving, protecting and promoting the best interest of all children whenever a decision needs to made about a child’s care.
 |
Christelle Hattingh (left), manager of the Christina Kiddie Child and Youth Care Centre, with Chrizelna Coetzer, a social worker, and some of the children at the home. Photo: Charné Kemp |
What are major ongoing projects?
Our core business is to provide for the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of 28 children aged four to 18 years. Although we receive a subsidy from the Department of Social Development (DSD) for the salary of our social worker and an amount per child per month, these funds are not sufficient to provide in all the needs and to cover all expenses.
We generate funds in an ongoing and sustainable manner to provide three balanced meals, toiletries, clothes, linen, school uniform, stationery, and more for our children, while also pay salaries and cover running costs like transport, electricity and cleaning material.
We are really blessed to receive a lot of pre-loved clothes, linen and toys for our children.
Two ongoing fundraising projects are a shop where we sell second-hand clothes which we cannot use ourselves, and baking biscuits and rusks.
How is transparency and accountability in managing fund assured?
The management committee uses a bookkeeper to manage finances in accordance with the centre’s financial policy and procedures. The bookkeeper provides monthly financial reports to the committee and quarterly financial reports to the DSD. The centre’s financial records are audited annually and no challenges were ever reported by the auditors. The chairperson, vice-chairperson and treasurer are the signatories of the centre’s bank account.
What are some of the challenges?
Limited resources to assist children with emotional, behavioural and scholastic challenges, including psychologists, occupational therapists and centres specialising in care for children with special needs or serious behavioural challenges.
We have a general medical practitioner, optometrist and dentist who provide medical care free of charge to our children. Behaviour modification strategies are implemented, but not always successful. Finances to maintain the building and garden, and to be in a position to pay more market-related salaries to staff.
Our staff take care of traumatised children, which often also have an emotional impact on their own emotional functioning and well-being. The manager and internal social worker provides trauma debriefing to staff on an individual and group level.
How is the centre’s impact in the community measured?
All the children have external social workers who render services to the children’s parents and/or family members. The said social workers communicate on a regular basis with the centre’s internal social worker to report and address challenges. A family group conference is held annually, or more if needed, for each family. This is attended by the centre’s social worker and manager, the child(ren) concerned and the child’s parents / family members, and facilitated by the external social worker.
This provides opportunity for discussion of progress and challenges between the parties involved, as well as planning of services to the child and the parents/family. Regular interaction between the centre and the principals and educators of the schools our children attend, provide opportunity for feedback on the impact of services to the children.
What role does collaboration with other organisations or government play?
The DSD is the main source of income, but also provide guidance in service delivery and does regular assessment and monitoring of the functioning of the centre and the services to the children.
The social workers of the department and welfare organisations render family reunification services to the parents and/or family of the children. This enables children to visit their parents/family during exit weekends and school holidays. In some cases the parents’ circumstances and parental capacity improve to such an extent that a child can be re-unified with their parents/family.
The kindness, support and empathy of the schools our children attend, are remarkable and means a lot to management, staff and the children.
How do you engage donors and encourage long-term support?
Quarterly reports to the DSD give feedback on progress, services rendered, and the income and expenditure of the centre. This report, as well as the annual report are available to the community and donors. We believe in personal contact with donors and potential donors, as well as feedback on how donations are utilised. They usually find a tour through the building and interaction with the children and staff informative and insightful.
Potential donors usually enquire about our specific needs, which makes donations more personal and relevant.
A number of churches are also involved through regular donations, rendering of programmes, buying birthday gifts for the children, and more. Individual volunteers take children to Spur for a birthday treat and each child receives a personalised birthday cake.
Can you share a success story?
Families’ circumstances unfortunately often cause children to stay in the centre until they turn 18 years of age or completed their school career. The centre’s social worker makes an effort to assist matriculants to apply for admission at tertiary institutions, and for bursaries.
A matriculant of 2023 was part of the Griqua Rugby Academy. The centre provided emotional and material support, while a donor enabled her to have proper accommodation for the duration of her year at the academy.
Parents can visit children on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Through the development and strengthening of parent-child relationships some children could enjoy daily visits to their parents with the permission/approval of the external social worker.
What plans do you have for future growth and expansion?
We have many plans and dreams to ensure that our children experience a home and care as closely as possible to a “normal” family life. Our children’s emotional well-being is very important to us.
People who are interested in being weekend or holiday parents can contact the social worker, Chrizelna Coetzer, for the necessary application forms and screening process.
Others plans include
- A home and garden the size of ours regularly need maintenance which is very costly. We will appreciate the assistance of handymen and persons who can assist to improve our garden and playing areas of the children.
- Therapy plays a vital role in the care of and services to traumatised children. Therefor we are planning to have a special therapy room where children can receive therapy, debriefing and emotional support in a private, child-friendly space.
- A vegetable garden will provide children with the experience of growing vegetables and teach them a number of life skills, while it can also provide the centre with vegetables.
- Our children are like all other children – full of energy and can get easily bored. “Trim park”-like equipment will surely help to keep our children busy, healthy and fit.
- Accredited child and youth care training for staff to empower them and promote the rendering of effective services.
Donations can be dropped off daily until 21:00 at Christina Kiddie at 91 Halkett Road, opposite the Newton Primary School in Kimberley.
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