One Child One Family - Hope and Homes for Children SA

16/06/2026

In 2001, Hope and Homes for Children arrived in South Africa with four local partners and one conviction: no child needs to grow up in an orphanage.

We set out to help make that vision a reality. Working alongside experienced social workers and partners across all nine provinces, we undertook the first national assessment of children living in South African institutions.

Twenty-five years later, South Africa has committed to ending the institutionalisation of children by 2030.

This progress has been driven by collaboration, evidence, and a shared belief that children belong in safe, loving families and communities.

Read the full story https://www.hopeandhomes.org/blog/children-in-orphanages-in-south-africa-25-years-of-change/

Children in Orphanages in South Africa. Here's how 25 years of evidence, advocacy, and community action led to a national 2030 commitment.

16/06/2026

05/06/2026

As part of Child Protection Week, we hosted a community awareness campaign in Soweto, bringing together government departments, NGOs, service providers, and community members under the theme, "Working Together in Ending Violence Against Children."

The event highlighted the importance of keeping children in safe, nurturing family environments and strengthening community-based support systems.

Stakeholders shared information on:
- Reporting child abuse and neglect
- Child sexual abuse response and safeguarding processes
- Counselling and psychosocial support services
- Nutrition, food security, and educational support programmes
- Social grants available to vulnerable children and families
- Substance abuse prevention and intervention
- Adoption and foster care as alternative care options
- The role of communities in protecting children and promoting accountability

A key message echoed throughout the day: protecting children is everyone's responsibility. By working together, we can create safer homes, schools, and communities where every child can thrive.

Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by care.

16/05/2026

We recently hosted an Autism training session facilitated by the Els For Autism, South Africa, aimed at equipping caregivers and stakeholders with a better understanding of children’s behavioural and developmental needs.

The training covered important topics including:
• Understanding challenging behaviour
• Identifying behaviour that may threaten the child or others
• The importance of children’s sensory development
• Prevention and intervention strategies
• Task analysis and the importance of routine in a child’s daily life

The session provided valuable tools and practical approaches to better support children living with autism and create environments that promote understanding, structure, and care.

We remain committed to empowering communities through education and awareness initiatives that support the wellbeing of children and families.

15/05/2026

Families are telling us exactly what they need, support to earn a stable income, access to healthcare, disability services, safer communities, and better support for children in schools.

Too many families in communities still travel long distances just to access clinics or basic healthcare services. Many parents of children with disabilities are left without information, support, or referral services in their communities. Schools often lack the resources and services needed to support children living with disabilities.

Families are doing their best to care for and protect their children under incredibly difficult circumstances. But families cannot carry these burdens alone.

On this International Day of Families, we invest in community-based support, mobile healthcare services, disability awareness, financial literacy, and sustainable livelihoods; we strengthen families and improve children’s wellbeing.

15/05/2026

We recently hosted a Temporary Safety Parents training session facilitated by The Teddy Bear Foundation South Africa, equipping caregivers and stakeholders with a better understanding of children’s behavioural and developmental needs.

The important conversations were held around GBV awareness, trauma-informed parenting, and child protection.

The discussion highlighted:
- Harmful stereotypes and toxic masculinity
- Sexual and financial abuse women face
- The impact of trauma within foster care homes
- Healthy ways to support vulnerable children

Caregivers were encouraged to believe children, create safe spaces for them to speak up, and approach situations with empathy and care.

Together, we continue building safer and healthier communities.

14/05/2026

Our team partnered with The Teddy Bear Foundation to train Temporary Safety Parents (TSPs)

A TSP is a trained caregiver who provides short-term care and protection for children who may be at risk, unsafe, or in crisis situations.

The training focused on GBV, child-friendly reporting methods, and understanding different forms of abuse, strengthening community-based child protection and prevention efforts.

13/05/2026

Our recent session with Els for Autism South Africa gave Temporary Safety Parents the opportunity to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including common misconceptions, signs of autism, and ways to provide meaningful support to children living with ASD.

The session also included practical activities to help caregivers strengthen their skills in creating compassionate and inclusive environments for children in their care.

When caregivers are empowered with knowledge, children are better supported to thrive.

10/05/2026

This Mother’s Day, we honour the women who so often form the backbone of care, not only within families, but across entire communities

Mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers are often the ones holding families together through hardship, creating safe spaces for children to grow, and building the support networks that help communities thrive.

At the heart of our work is strengthening families and preventing unnecessary separation, because children thrive when they are surrounded by love, stability, and connection.

04/05/2026

The summit gave us words. Now we need action, real, funded, and accountable action.

The commitments made at the Care Reform Summit in Johannesburg are within reach. But they must now be backed by clear laws, budgets, and implementation.

To the national government of South Africa this means

• Turning commitments into policy and funded plans
• Investing in family-based care
• Enforcing the moratorium on placing children under three in institutions
• Building a coordinated system with the Department of Social Development and civil society
• Delivering a clear roadmap to 2030

We don’t need more commitments. We need delivery.

South Africa promised care reform in Johannesburg. Now it must act to end orphanages and ensure children grow up in families by 2030.