Children in Distress (CID) is a community-based non-profit organisation that has been caring for vulnerable children and elderly people in the greater White River area since 1989. With a commitment to addressing poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, they provide vital support to over 3,000 orphaned and vulnerable children and their 226 caregivers.
Supporting Families in Distress:
CID’s nine Family Care Centres offers daily well-balanced hot meals to children and their caregivers. Their programs aim to provide nutritional support, early childhood development, homework assistance, skill development and various recreational activities such as sports and cultural events. Through these, they ensure that the physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children are met.
“We are committed to our program on a long-term basis, this being until the children leave school and are self-sufficient. We believe in seeing to their needs so that they grow up and become social economic contributors to their communities,” says Pastor Lauren Weitsz and Marthina Duminy (CID Distribution Manager).
CID has trained staff who are employed to look after the children. They have personal contact with each child on a weekly basis and make sure that they attend school, receive their food and check on their basic health. They also provide counselling and assist them in the many challenges they face.
The Partnership with FoodForward SA:
The partnership with FoodForward SA has been instrumental in enhancing CID’s services and expanding their support to the community. With the support received from FoodForward SA, CID can provide food parcels to the caregivers and child-headed homes during the weekends too, in addition to daily meals. By providing nourishment, education, and emotional support, CID is empowering children to break the cycle of poverty.
CID won the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) Community Service Award in 2022 and operates in the following communities: Mganduzweni, Jerusalem, Cho Chocho, Mcogbaneni, Chweni, Kabokweni, Dayzenzai, Phelandaba and Rocky Drift.
To help us provide nutritious food to beneficiary organisations like CID, donate here: https://foodforwardsa.org/donate