The greatest problem that Middelburg is facing is the habituation of the inhabitants of the town, particularly the South African Police Service, the Justice Department and the Department of Social Development (including their semi-governmental social services organizations such as ACVV). People are so habituated to the problems of the children ie: begging, starving, stealing, raped, abused: that they no longer are shocked about it, it no longer matters, they no longer care, they no longer see it and it is just an accepted part of life.

The Children’s Home is there to act as a beacon and to restore hope and dignity to abused, abandoned, vulnerable, sick and orphaned children. It will and is helping children get back on their feet and to find them homes, either through adoption, foster care or returning them to rehabilitated parents, if any. It is part of the integrated approach for a community to deal with AIDS and the children that fall through the cracks in society or in the system that is in place to ensure children’s rights. Street children are being given a place where they can receive one balanced meal a day, take part in Life Skills programs, join the Children’s Home  programs over weekends and are also clothed by the Dianne Lang Foundation.

Our Objectives are to:

• To re-route the children back to school and if possible back to their families through sponsorship programmes in which they are sponsored at their families or until government grants are allocated to the families of the children.

• To create a safe place where parents can leave their children instead of abandoning them to the rubbish dump or streets.

• To create a safe place where children themselves can come for assistance of any sort.

• To create an educational facility whereby disadvantaged children are given the opportunity to catch up with their peers in an educational situation.

• To rehabilitate, feed and clothe street children and orphans to become responsible and useful members of society.

• To provide educational facilities of nursery school for children within the centre and surrounding areas.

• To give children the right to be children

• To give children the opportunity to explore the environment in a safe manner

• To provide guidance and counselling to traumatized children

• To assist children in solvent addiction (70%)

• To provide a Youth Centre to lure children away from shebeens (drinking venues) over weekends

• To create interaction with other children from various neighbourhoods

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