About

THE BIRTH OF PHOENIX CHILD WELFARE

In 1976, the Phoenix community faced socio-economic challenges due to undeveloped infrastructure and limited facilities.

Community volunteers and civic organization members, part of local Verulam Child & Family Welfare Society committees, recognized the need for a dedicated welfare organization to support indigent families. By December 1980, the rapid population growth overwhelmed the Verulam Society’s capacity.

Consequently, the South African National Council for Child & Family Welfare, Verulam Society, and Phoenix volunteers collaborated to establish an autonomous Phoenix Child & Family Welfare Society, officially inaugurated on March 8, 1981.

Since then, it has grown into one of South Africa’s ten largest welfare organizations, affiliated with Child Welfare South Africa and a member of the Ubuntu Community Chest.

Our Vision

Phoenix Child Welfare strives to be the leading professional child welfare organisation championing holistic, quality and integrated social development services to communities of Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Mission Statement

committed to delivering inclusive, equitable, and holistic social services aligned with the Constitution. It focuses on supporting and healing marginalized and vulnerable children, families, and the elderly through early intervention, preventative, and ongoing care that meets national standards.

The society provides safe spaces for abused women and children, empowers youth to foster a reflective and self-reliant society, and builds sustainable financial, human, and structural resources to combat poverty and unemployment. Additionally, it maintains a research-driven approach to monitor, evaluate, and improve services through impact analysis.

Our Objectives

In order to ensure effective services, the Society included the following objectives in its Constitution:
To work towards the removal of all conditions which are detrimental to the physical and moral welfare of children.
To secure adequate implementation of legislation concerning children to encourage and assist in the promotion of legislation that may improve the social, psychological, physical and economic conditions of children.
To give effect to any legislation framed for the protection of children and the conservation of family life.
To investigate and take measures necessary to prevent any form of neglect and cruelty to children and to deal with cases where they have fallen into crime or where there seems to be the risk of their doing so.
To encourage and assist all efforts aimed at the social, physical and economic improvement of children, either inside or outside an institution and their families to which they belong.
To conserve and promote the health, psychological and economic well-being of mothers, children and the community at large by preventative measures undertaken to that end.
To establish, control, conduct and maintain.
Homes for orphaned and destitute and/or other children needing protection and care.
Places of care for pre-school and other age groups of children.
Hostels and/or after care centres for young persons released from child care institutions and/or for other approved persons.
To give material assistance to deserving individuals and families.
To publish periodicals, brochures, pamphlets and leaflets to publicise and promote the work of the Society and its interest generally;
To co-operate and/or affiliate with any other institutions or organisations, any local, provincial or national co-ordinating body, and any central, provincial and local government department having similar objects or serving the general welfare cause.
To take such other action as may contribute towards the furtherance and attainment of the Society’s objects.

Our milestones

1981

1981: Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society began providing services to Phoenix residents before its official establishment.

1982: Affiliated with the National Council for Child and Family Welfare on February 12, 1982 (distinct from Child Welfare South Africa).

1992: Accepted as a member of the Ubuntu Community Chest, securing a major funding source.

1992: Initial funding from Durban Metro’s Community Services Department led to the establishment of the Guiding Lantern Centre.

1998: Sponsorship from Amalgamated Beverage Industries facilitated the creation of the Thuthuka Empowerment Centre in Inanda.

1998: Acquired land for the welfare centre in Whetstone.

2000: Laid the foundation for the welfare centre building in Whetstone.

2001

  • 2001-2002: Completed phase one construction of the welfare centre in Whetstone.

  • 2007: Launched the Phoenix Children’s Foundation.

  • 2007: Established Inanda Newtown Child Welfare as an independent entity in February.

  • 2007-2008: Initiated services in Mount Mariah and Mount Royal.

2010

  • 2013-2015: Phoenix Community Centre donated R200,000 as the official sponsor of the Phoenix Fair. Afrisun KZN Community Development Trust sponsored R1.3 million for the Sahara Shelter extension.

  • 2014: Sahara Shelter extension opened by Mr. Vivian Reddy, registered to accommodate 22 clients.

  • 2015: Afrisun KZN Community Development Trust funded repairs to Sahara Shelter’s Phase 1 roof and windows.

  • 2016: Launched Mustard Tree homework centre at Clayhaven Primary School. Launched Sunshine Corner homework centre at Lenham Primary School. Launched Rotary Home in partnership with Alan and Sharm Moodley of Phoenix Rotary Club. Launched Beanstalk Corner homework centre at Highstone Primary School.

  • 2017: Sahara Shelter received a National Award from Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms. Hendrietta Bagopane Zulu, for outstanding community service.

  • 2018: Purchased new property for Phoenix Children’s Home. Launched the Phoenix Children’s Home Project.

  • 2019: Officially opened Phoenix Children’s Home - Phase 1 and held sod-turning ceremony for Phase 2.

2020

  • 2020: Officially opened Baby Nursery and launched Baby Box.

  • 2021: Began building work on Phoenix Children’s Home - Phase 2 Project. Launched Food Security Project on Mandela Day at Head Office, Grove End, Sethani Centre, and Kwa Ngcolosi. Commenced building work on Children’s Centre at Head Office.

  • 2022: Installed borehole at Society Head Office, sponsored by Divine Life Society. Launched Hydrophonic Garden at Head Office on World Environment Day.

  • 2023: Officially opened Phoenix Children’s Home - Phase 2.

  • 2024: Officially opened Phoenix Children’s Centre by Goldrush Foundation.