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Poverty in rural South Africa is still widespread and children born into poor families often suffer from so many disadvantages – poor health, poor diet, substandard housing, alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parenting, lack of stimulation, domestic violence. These sorts of hardships can have a permanent effect on children’s life chances by inhibiting their development during those crucial early years. Without extra help and support they may never catch up and can end up trapped in the same destructive cycle of deprivation and disadvantage as their parents. Poverty will not go away easily. Experience has shown that if we want to eradicate poverty then we must apply constant, sustained pressure, in a variety of different ways working with the whole family and the community. We believe strongly that a holistic programme that supports children and families through inter-connected projects is the best way to go. That is why we are helping to build and maintain Rural Youth Centres, where children and families can learn and grow together.
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