As Mandela Day approaches, residents looking for meaningful ways to give back are being encouraged to turn their 67 minutes of service into lasting support for children facing neglect, abuse and extreme poverty.
The Homestead, a child protection organisation that has worked with vulnerable children and families across Cape Town for more than 44 years, has launched its Mandela Month campaign, calling on individuals, schools, churches, community groups and businesses to support children through donations, volunteering and fundraising initiatives.
Rather than focusing solely on giving time, the organisation is asking supporters to consider what they can do "67 times" to make a tangible difference in a child's life.
Suggested donations include 67 food parcels for vulnerable families, hygiene and dignity packs, blankets, winter hoodies, tracksuit pants, lunch packs, books and stationery, and non-perishable food items.
Businesses and organised groups are also invited to sponsor meals, food parcels, dignity packs or maintenance projects at The Homestead's facilities. At the same time, volunteer teams are encouraged to contribute in ways that will have a lasting benefit, such as providing materials for painting projects or donating the ingredients for meals they prepare.
Founded more than four decades ago, The Homestead supports children and young people who have experienced neglect, abuse and family breakdown, while working to prevent children from entering statutory care through early intervention and family support programmes.
Today, the organisation operates six drop-in centres across Cape Town, supporting between 30 and 45 children at each site, alongside its Risiha Child Protection Programme in Bishop Lavis, which serves around 140 children. It also provides residential care through two Child and Youth Care Centres, caring for approximately 90 children and young people who are unable to remain safely with their families.
Every day, children receive nutritious meals, counselling, educational support, life skills development and access to safe spaces where they can begin rebuilding their futures.
According to The Homestead, many of the children and families it works with face food insecurity, violence, neglect and abuse, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness, gang involvement and substance abuse without ongoing support.
Those wishing to contribute financially can also support The Homestead's Mandela Month fundraising campaign through GivenGain, with donations helping to provide food, education, psychosocial support and safe care for children across its programmes.
Donations can be dropped off at The Homestead's head office at 150 Strand Street, De Waterkant, during Mandela Week from July 13-17, while information about volunteering, fundraising and donating is available on the organisation's website.
This Mandela Month, The Homestead hopes Cape Town will answer that call by helping create safer futures for some of the city's most vulnerable children.
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