Bay welfare body forges ahead with vigour
CASES relating to child welfare have more than tripled over the last four years.
This was revealed at Child Welfare SA Richards Bay Family Care's (RBFC) recent AGM.
A total of 105 matters were dealt with in the last financial year, compared with 37 matters four years ago.
The organisation has been discussing various initiatives and strategies as a way to improve the quality of services rendered, and to better its financial standing.
"It can be difficult if only one social worker is attending to a matter, and we have increased the number of social workers attending to each case which has shown success so far," said head of office Aaliya Fransch.
"Much of what we do revolves around community awareness, with a focus on preventing and addressing child abuse and neglect.
"Our first point of order is not to remove a child; we want to be able to preserve the family, and we need to be able to work with caregivers and families to assist them through the various parenting skills and coping mechanisms.
"Many cases are influenced by substance abuse or financial pressures in light of our current economy, which takes its toll on caring for children.
"We have a small staff component in comparison with a relatively large community, and we appreciate our longserving members Ayanda Dumisa (10 years), Caroline Mkhwanazi (10 years), Bonie Mbhamali (5 years), Sandra Mpungose (5 years) and Bongi Ndwandwe (5 years)," she said.
Meanwhile, organisation chairperson Rene Bekker said the last few years remained challenging, intensified by the pandemic that hindered fundraising initiatives.
She said the situation was dire, to the extent that the committee considered closing the organisation.
"We often remind ourselves that closing RBFC is not an option as a child without access to a social worker and no access to our legal system for justice or assistance would have dire consequences," she said.
"We must never lose sight of the principle aim of this facility, which is the protection and promotion of children's rights and of healthy family structures.
"While funding has dwindled over the years given the economic climate, which places pressure on RBFC, we thank our community and corporate sponsors for their continued support.
"In a further effort to sustain RBFC, we have decided to subdivide our property and sell the portion currently rented by The Abundant Life Centre adjacent to us.
"Proceeds will be invested to ensure RBFC receives a monthly income for dayto-day expenses," she said.