According to a research study conducted in 2014, there were 18.5 million children in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Of these children, 4.5 million (24.3 per cent) lived with neither of their parents; over 13 000 lived in residential care facilities, and an estimated 10 000 lived on the streets of South Africa.<\/p>
Four years later, the 2018 mid-year population estimates puts the amount of children under the age of 19 at 21.7 million.<\/p>\n
If we assume that the percentages remained the same, then, in theory, that would amount to a 5.3 million orphaned children in South Africa in 2018; 15 190 living in residential care facilities, and 10 850 living on the streets of South Africa.<\/p>
What\u2019s more, in 2010, Child Welfare SA estimated that more than 3 500 babies were abandoned in SA.<\/p>\n
In 2017, Door of Hope (a Johannesburg based child welfare centre) reported that almost 100 babies are brought to their door by the police or strangers each year.<\/p>\n
Considering the above, perhaps this festive season might kindle your spirit of generosity to extend beyond just your immediate family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe festive season can be a difficult time of year for a large portion of our population.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of planning lavish feasts and expensive gifts, some are barely able to put food on their table or purchase new socks for the year ahead.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Elderly need the community\u2019s help this festive season<\/a><\/p>\n Donate and choose a name for the SPCA\u2019s pig<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn the spirit of the season, Re\/Max of Southern Africa is inviting our network to set up collection bins at their offices in our annual National Toy and Book Collection drive,\u201d\u00a0said Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of Re\/Max of Southern Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the months of December and January, we invite the public to drop off donations of toys, books, and children\u2019s clothing at their local participating offices.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of January 2019, all donations will be dropped off at various local charities and children\u2019s organisations across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re unable to donate, Re\/Max of Southern African has researched a few other ways you can give back this festive season:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t have cash? Give your time: If there isn\u2019t any room in your budget, perhaps consider volunteering at a local charity or non-profit organisation.<\/p>\n Put up your hand for helping out at a local soup kitchen, pop some biscuits into the oven and visit a local orphanage, or spend a few hours volunteering at the children\u2019s ward of a local hospital.<\/p>\n Not a child-person? Then treat furry friends: Lend them some of your time walking the dogs and cleaning the cages, donate some pet food, or write out a cheque if you have the funds available.<\/p>\n Get creative with what you have: Go through your home and donate whatever you\u2019re not using to a local charity shop, orphanage or NPO.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got nothing to donate, consider what you can create with what you have at home.<\/p>\n Baked goods and easy craft project toys will be greatly appreciated by children who would have received nothing if it weren\u2019t for your creative make-a-plan efforts.<\/p>\n Visit www.remax.co.za<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Cash can be incredibly tight this time of year.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Animal shelters are always in need of some extra help.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The first place to start with giving back is considering what you already have to give.<\/p>\n