South Africa is the country with the highest rate of Covid-19 orphans on the continent, with some 90 000 having lost parents and guardians due to the virus.
Bloemfontein Courant spoke to Cynthia Burger, the Social Work Manager at Childline Free State, who explained that there has definitely been an increase in orphans over the last two years. “There has also been an increase in current foster parents who have passed away and then the foster children need to be transferred to new foster parents, which could be other family members (if there are any available, and they are screened and willing). If there is no family, then the social worker needs to investigate other alternatives such as non-family placements or Child and Youth Care Centres.”
She says that when children are not fostered, challenges arise, including limited resources and placement options. “If there is no family, then other placement options need to be investigated and we always try to keep children within their family systems before investigating alternatives. Children’s Court cases sometimes drag on due to information not being available, as needed by the Magistrate, which means that cases cannot be finalised.”
Burger explained that Childline FS does not work with adoptions and all prospective adoptive parents are referred to ENGO who deals with adoptions. “We are always however in need of foster parents and Temporary Safe Care Parents as there are many children who are removed from their biological parents as they are found in need of care and protection.”
If anyone is interested in giving a child a good home, contact 051 430 3311 and talk to a social worker, who will explain the process, as there are screening processes involved.
Sazly Hartzenberg
