SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa commemorated International Care Day on 18 February.
Care Day is the world’s largest recognition of children and young people with alternative care experience. Care experience includes children and young people who are or were cared for by family members with the support of social workers; or by foster care givers; or children and young people from children’s homes and residential units.
According to the latest findings from Statistics South Africa, about one-fifth (21,3%) of children aged 17 years and less, did not live with their parents. This is against the international norm where most children under 18 live with both their parents.
Many of these children, will end up in residential care.
SOS Children’s Villages believes that “Every child should belong to a family and grow up with love, respect and security”. In a world filled with poverty, violence and injustice, the greatest victims are often children.
There are pivotal stages within a young person’s life in care. From the initial entry into the system to the challenging phases such as adjusting to new care workers or placements, and eventually transitioning out of care.
Care Day offers an opportunity to advocate for children and young people with care experience, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children. The objective is to improve the situation of children, striving towards a world where children and young people overcome adversities, are proud of themselves, their achievements and look forward to a future of opportunity, equality and equity.
“SOS Children’s Villages is about seeing children develop to their full potential, within loving families. When children can no longer live with their own families, we provide quality alternative care, within a family, within a home, within a village. We also support vulnerable families in their own communities, so that they may be strengthened, avoiding the possibility of complete family breakdown. We work with partners to implement various psychosocial programmes for children and youth, to help them in becoming successful adults who will meaningfully contribute to the world. This Care Day, we call for more partnerships, and support.” says Kgomotso Loate: Child Safeguarding Officer at SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa.
For more information on our work and how to support us, please go to https://www.sossouthafrica.org.za/
