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Bulwer Coordinators Start Care Centre

2010/12/14 02:34:51 PM

Abused Children Find a Home at CCJ

Bulwer coordinators Patricia Maphanga and Nokuthula Mchunu (right) recently began a care centre for children. They look after those whose parents have abused them or are unable to care for them owing to illness, unemployment or death. Two local businessmen help to pay for groceries, and the children, who range in age from 1, 3 and 5 to 14 and 17, live with Patricia in her home alongside her own four children. She uses money from her salary to support them.

The project was initiated in September 2009 when children began to approach the centre complaining about abuse at home. Patricia received permission from social workers to take care of them, and several parents were grateful for the help. She has difficulty getting government support, because the children do not have ID documents and the parents need to apply on their behalf, but themselves lack IDs. When asked in December 2010 how long she thought she would care for the children, Patricia said, “Until they are grown up, because before then there is no end to their need.”