Isibindi programme success rewarded with R223 m fund

ABOUT 1 700 matric pupils from child-headed households across the country were supported by the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW) programme during their final exams last year.

Around 74 percent of them passed, and a quarter well enough to enter university, Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini said yesterday.

Dlamini was speaking at the NAC CWs 20th Biennial Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Dlamini’s spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, said they have given the NACCW R223 million for the current financial year to run the Isibindi programme.

The programme was developed to care for HIV/Aids orphans, and was extended to support all children in need.

It selects, trains, and deploys unemployed people as child and youth care workers to vulnerable children and families.

To date Isibindi has trained more than 6 000 people as child and youth care workers in 300 communities in South Africa.

Dlamini said that many vulnerable children were supported and managed to complete school proved that Isibindi was working.

“This sets a solid foundation for them and government will continue to support them as they move forward in their development towards meaningful lives,” Dlamini said.

We thank the child and youth care workers who work with the young people on a daily basis throughout the year. The provision of psychosocial support to these youth by the relevant professionals cannot be underestimated.”