Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Many child-headed families still have difficulty accessing food, shelter and education.
This was revealed at the launch of a child-headed households campaign by the Gauteng social development department at Ubuntu Kraal, Orlando West, Soweto, on Friday.
MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro said the department was conducting research to identify child-headed homes and also to find out how many of these existed in the province.
"I think the government is not doing enough to reach out to these needy children," he said.
Lekgoro said the research would help the department establish a database and socioeconomic profile of child-headed homes in the province.
He said the plight of these children was increasing dramatically. Child-headed homes are those with children under the age of 18 taking care of their siblings.
There are more than 5000 of these in the province.
"We appeal to all stakeholders, the media, churches, local government and churches to help us reach out to these vulnerable children," Lekgoro said.
His department wanted to strengthen the existing programmes and extend its services to be more effective, he said.
The research is expected to be concluded in September.
For more information call toll-free number 0800-212-396 or 011-355-7760/7929.
Child-headed homes lifeline
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Many child-headed families still have difficulty accessing food, shelter and education.
This was revealed at the launch of a child-headed households campaign by the Gauteng social development department at Ubuntu Kraal, Orlando West, Soweto, on Friday.
MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro said the department was conducting research to identify child-headed homes and also to find out how many of these existed in the province.
"I think the government is not doing enough to reach out to these needy children," he said.
Lekgoro said the research would help the department establish a database and socioeconomic profile of child-headed homes in the province.
He said the plight of these children was increasing dramatically. Child-headed homes are those with children under the age of 18 taking care of their siblings.
There are more than 5000 of these in the province.
"We appeal to all stakeholders, the media, churches, local government and churches to help us reach out to these vulnerable children," Lekgoro said.
His department wanted to strengthen the existing programmes and extend its services to be more effective, he said.
The research is expected to be concluded in September.
For more information call toll-free number 0800-212-396 or 011-355-7760/7929.