"We are lending a helping hand to the most vulnerable in our communities – especially children, women, persons with disabilities and older persons." - Bongiwe Naile (CEO of AFM Welfare)
Your support makes a difference in the lives of the vulnerable. Join us in making a positive impact today.
What We Do
AFM Welfare sees social development in its broadest sense and assists the most vulnerable in our society through the following services (as shown in the illustration). In the centre of the hand is the principle of empowerment.
AFM Welfare not only offers immediate help to those in need but also prioritises equipping people with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to uplift themselves and their communities in the long term. Empowerment provides a sense of autonomy and self-reliance that enables people to break free from cycles of dependency. It promotes dignity and recognises the inherent worth and potential of every person – irrespective of their circumstances. As a welfare organisation rooted in empowerment, we believe in cultivating a culture of resilience and collaboration.
Services offered by AFM Welfare South Africa:
1. Childcare and Protection
AFM Welfare protects children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. AFM Welfare supports vulnerable children through Child and Youth Care Centres, Foster Homes, Temporary Safe Care for Babies, Special Needs Homes, Early Childhood Development Centres and Community Drop-in Centres. Our uMephi programme was established to host children in need of care and protection. Improving the lives of children regardless of race, religion or nationality is the credo. This is done through 33 Child and Youth Care Centres and 14 Foster Homes across all provinces of South Africa.
Children are removed from their homes due to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or/and abandonment. Our model makes use of house parents (known as Child and Youth Care Workers) who fulfil a substituting parenting role. Babies/children are between the ages of 0-18 years (which is normally extended until the age of 21 if the child is still a learner). Seeing a child’s life change for the better and being able to make a much-needed difference is the driving force of our organisation. Serving with a passionate heart is where the difference is made, and lives are touched.
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Number of babies in our Temporary Safe Care Programme for Babies
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Number of children in our Foster Homes for Orphans
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Number of babies/children in our Special Needs Programme
Total number of children in our care and protection:
uMephi was derived from the Bible story in which Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan was orphaned, disabled (lame feet) and had to be placed in “alternative care”. A child who had nobody whom he could call his own and had to live with the shame of his and his parents’ past. Through the kindness of God and a King, Mephibosheth was also a child who was rescued and reinstated in his position as a person who had worth, who had his own land and who could live the rest of his life with dignity.
AFM Welfare works with and through affiliate organisations providing Early Childhood Development (ECD) services in areas where it is needed most. An ECD centre holds immense value for a community by providing a nurturing environment where young children can develop essential cognitive-, social-, emotional-, and physical skills. During their formative years, children obtain skills that are crucial for lifelong learning and development.
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Number of children benefiting from Early Childhood Development Programmes
We believe that Churches are ideally positioned to make an impact in their communities – especially through Community Drop-in Centres for children. This type of centre is a vital lifeline for children who don’t have access to a structured after-school programme or face challenging home environments. A supportive and supervised environment can create a sense of belonging and safety. Equipped with resources such as books, computers, and homework assistance it can become an education hub. Community Drop-in Centres for Children means that we can invest in the well-being and potential of our young people – laying the foundation for a bright future.
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Number of children benefiting from Community Drop-in Centres
We find permanent loving “forever homes” for children who cannot be raised by their biological parents. AFM Welfare has a structured and supportive process that ensures that children receive care, stability and the opportunity to be part of a loving family. Adoption services include counselling to both birth and adoptive families facilitating a smooth transition. By looking after our children and working on building strong family environments we are contributing to a stronger society. On average 20 children per month find a forever home through Adoptions.
On average 240 children per year
are Adopted (20 per month)
2. Family Strengthening
Family strengthening is a sacred duty reflecting God’s design for love, support, and unity. Strong families provide a nurturing and safe environment where children can find love, support, and guidance. Strong families produce emotionally healthy and resilient children. Child protection should always be contextualised within families, hence the importance of strengthening families so that they can support and provide a safe uplifting home for children.
Examples of the work we do through and with our affiliates include:
Victim Empowerment Centres
Parenting Skills Training
Parents Support Groups
Marriage Enrichment Programmes
3. Care & Protection of Older Persons:
To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours. The Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act 13 of 2006) is intended to protect, promote and maintain the status, rights, well-being and security of older persons. Examples of the work we do in this area include services rendered from Church buildings and other venues, Home-Based Care, and Old Age Homes/Residential Care Facilities for older persons.
- Community Day-Care Centres for Older Persons
- Home-Based Care
- Old Age Homes (Frail Care; Assisted Living)
- Retirement Villages (Independent Living)
Community Day-Care Centres for Older Persons
These centres for Older Persons are vital hubs for support, companionship and connection for Older Persons who feel isolated and have limited access to social opportunities. Enhancing the overall quality of their lives, these types of centres offer tailored programmes and activities that promote physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being and helping individuals to maintain their independence.
Additionally, such a centre provides relief for a full-time family caregiver – allowing them time off while they know their family member received proper care and supervision. AFM Welfare works with and through affiliates delivering these services to Older Persons where needed.
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Number of Older Persons benefiting from Community Drop-in Centres
Home-Based Care
Home-based Care enables an Older Person to maintain their dignity, sense of autonomy and familiarity by receiving care in the comfort of their own homes. It provides personalised assistance tailored to the needs and preferences of each person. In many cases Home-Based Care provides a more cost-effective and sustainable care solution compared to institutionalised care settings. AFM Welfare works actively with and through affiliates to provide these services to Older Persons who need it.
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Number of Older Persons benefiting from Home-based Care
Old Age Homes (Frail Care; Assisted Living)
Frail Care and Assisted Living provide specialised care to Older Persons due to age-related frailty or health challenges. These services are holistic and include addressing physical-, emotional-, social-, psychological- and spiritual well-being. Frail Care provides around-the-clock supervision, medical assistance, and personal care. The safety and comfort of residents is the highest priority. Assisted Living on the other hand offers a more independent living arrangement promoting autonomy while assisting with daily tasks and activities. Both these options prioritise dignity, respect and personalised care.
AFM Welfare makes provision for the care and protection of 233 frail Older Persons in 3 facilities: Sarepta, Kuilsriver Care Village and Touwsriver in the Western Cape. We also make provision for an assisted living option for 69 Older Persons in 2 of our facilities: Kuilsriver Care Village and Touwsriver in the Western Cape. Some of the Older Persons in our care come from challenging and disadvantaged communities. Many of the persons admitted over the years, had been abandoned by their families. They receive physical and medical care as well as psychological care after admission.
Touwsriver, Sarepta and Kuislriver Care Village receive subsidies from the Department of Social Development, which in addition to the older person’s state pension, augments the amount needed to make up the fee which is charged for the direct care that is received. This leaves our facilities with the challenge to raise funds for any other needs that arise including maintenance, security, transport and administration.
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Number of Older Persons benefiting from Old Age Homes
Retirement Villages (Independent Living)
The Retirement Villages make provision for older persons from all spheres of life and remain a popular choice for persons over the age of 50 years. It offers a unique living arrangement tailored to the needs of Older Persons seeking a vibrant and supportive social community in their retirement years. This option promotes an active and fulfilling lifestyle while enjoying the security and peace of mind of a structured environment. Residents enjoy access to a range of amenities, services and recreational activities.
The units in our 5 Retirement Villages are always being utilised to the maximum and includes Villeria Care Village, Lofdal, Kabega Park, Rosestad, Kuilsriver Care Village and Vue de Cap. Units are available to be rented by sub-economical elderly persons and the option to purchase a Unit on Sectional Title as on Life Right, is also available.
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The number of Older Persons cared for in Retirement Villages
4. Care and Protection of Persons with Disabilities:
Caring for and protecting Persons with Disabilities promotes equality, dignity and inclusion in society. As a society, we need to make sure that Persons with Disabilities have support and access to resources leading to fulfilling and independent lives. It is important to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are respected and valued as members of the community. Persons with Disabilities often face challenges and significant barriers to accessing basic services including education, employment, social participation and healthcare. The Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act 13 of 2006) also applies to persons with disabilities. The Act intends to protect, promote, and maintain the status, rights, well-being and security of persons with disabilities.
Examples of services we render through and with affiliates in this area include:
Home-Based Care
Day-Care Centres
Special Needs Homes
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The number of People with Disabilities that benefit from our care and protection
5. Socio-Education Services
(Partnerships between Welfare & the Education Sector)
These services speak to the need for a close partnership between the Welfare and Education sectors in the protection and development of especially vulnerable persons. It also has an important role to play in addressing socio-economic challenges like inequality, poverty, and unemployment.
Examples of the work we do with and through our affiliates in this area include:
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres
Literacy Programmes
After-School Care Centres
6. Socio-Health Services
(Partnerships between Welfare & the Health Sector)
Many of the social challenges that are present in communities cannot be addressed by Social Welfare (Development) interventions alone. In the case of substance abuse, close cooperation with the Health Sector Services is essential. Examples of the work we do in this area include:
Prevention & Raising Awareness of HIV & Aids and Substance Abuse
Day-Treatment Centres (Treatment Adherence Programme)
Support Groups
School Outreach Programmes
Supporting Persons through Long-Term Care Programmes
7. Socio-Economic Services:
(Partnerships between Welfare & the Business Sector)
Socio-economic development is the process of social and economic development in a society and is measured with indicators such as GDP, life expectancy, literacy, and levels of employment. It is needless to say South Africa is facing huge challenges in this specific area. Examples of the services we render with and through our affiliates in this specific area are divided into two categories:
Poverty Alleviation Services:
Soup Kitchens, Social Relief, Food Parcels, Clothing Distribution and Small-Scale Farming.
Services related to Job Creation or Employability Preparation:
Upskilling, assisting with CVs or preparing for Job Interviews, Empowerment Programmes to address Inequality, Women Empowerment, and Youth Empowerment.
