“I am unseen, unheard, unwanted and trapped in the misery of my life, lost in the sorrow of my soul” – poignant words spoken by an unknown foster child as she navigates the system designed to remove her from her abusive home.
In the northern suburbs of Cape Town the situation is dire, with 447 children having been removed from their parental homes and placed in foster care by Badisa Trio in the last year, according to the organisation’s latest annual report.
This organisation renders child protection services in Bellville, Durbanville, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Scottsdene.
According to social worker Sjean Smit child abuse is not a respecter of persons.
“We have assisted abused children from luxury homes to backyard shacks. All these children, after being placed at a place of safety or foster parents then face a new battle, that of severe unprocessed trauma,” she said at a fundraiser hosted by Badisa ambassador Diane Nel in Brackenfell last Saturday.
Some 70 women from the northern suburbs supported the event to raise funds for play therapy and psychological assessments for children removed from their homes.
According to the annual report, the organisation consisting of only 19 social workers have rendered services to 248 neglected children, 168 abused children, 101 children with behavioural problems, 78 abandoned children, 68 molested children, 14 with substance abuse and four teenage pregnancies.
These specialised therapies, not subsidised by the state, come at a cost Badisa simply cannot afford.
Currently, the organisation has an annual budget shortage of R1,5 million for these services in the areas they work in.
“There is also a critical shortage of safety- and foster parents to take care of children that have to be removed from their homes. These parents also face immense challenges,” she says.
Gospel singer and long-time safety- and foster parent himself, Warren Elliot who uplifted the audience with his music and shared his own experiences, says every month brings new and unique challenges for the foster parent, apart from the financial.
“Every child comes with his own baggage; they never feel good enough and battle with rejection on a very deep level. Often they are also ostracised and bullied at school because of their situation and the healing journey is a long one. It is a calling to be a foster parent but the reward of seeing how such a child grows and develops over time is priceless,” he says.
Of the 447 children removed from their parents during the last year, 12 have been placed back with their parents.
The organisation has rendered services to 287 biological parents with the aim to reunite families.
As ambassador for this organisation, Nel says it holds a very special place in her heart. Nel, a former Mrs Cape Town and founder of DN Hope for Inspiration says this cause is what Hope for Inspiration is all about: women caring over the plight of other women and children.
“When they asked me to do the fundraiser I immediately agreed and was joined in my efforts by the late event organiser Aleit Swanepoel who shared my passions,” says Nel.
Swanepoel, known for his TV series Tyd met Aleit, which ran on kykNET for six seasons, passed away in May this year, and the event was held in his memory.
“I know he would have wanted me to go on with the fundraiser as he had a heart for women and children. I believe that the funds raised will help many children in need,” she says.
