The public is being asked to help raise the R240 000 that is needed to send 80 foster children to a camp next year.
The Foster Camp Project is organised by non-profit organisations Badisa Tygerberg and the Land Service Movement along with a marketing company.
The camp will be for children aged 10 to 16 who are in foster care and receive support from Badisa’s child-protection services.
“The aim of the Foster Camp Project is to broaden the children’s horizons and to give them an opportunity they would most likely never get to experience,” said Charmaine Germishuys, Badisa Tygerberg office coordinator.
Badisa Tygerberg provides child-protection services in Parow, Parow Valley, Uitsig, Ravensmead, Eureka, Connaught, and Cravenby.
“The areas Badisa Tygerberg serves are characterised by gangsterism, alcohol and drug abuse, violence, and poor parental skills, which result in child abuse, child neglect, children with behaviour problems, and a significant number of children that drop out of school,” said Ms Germishuys.
“These children who have been neglected or abused often have to be removed from the care of their parents and placed in alternative care, including foster care.”
Tandi de Jager, Land Service Western Cape chairperson and camp organiser, said they wanted to give the children a safe, fun, and memorable experience. Badisa Tygerberg social workers would also attend the three-day camp in Wellington in October next year.
“Many of the children in the foster-care system’s parents aren’t all able financially to send their children on camps or outings; they can barely afford the necessities, this is a luxury,” she said.
Ms De Jager and her husband, Chris de Jager, has run several fund-raisers for the camp, including a coin drive and an entertainment evening at the Barnyard theatre. There will be a dance at the Dutch Reformed Church in Oostersee, Parow, on Saturday September 9; a bowls day at Parow North Bowls Club on Sunday November 12; and a golf day at the Parow Golf Club on Saturday February 10 next year.
“Planning and getting volunteers isn’t a concern; collecting the funds is a challenge. However, we have set a goal and believe that we will be able to achieve it,” Mr De Jager said.
“All parties involved have agreed that if we do not get full funding, the camp will proceed with fewer children, according to available funds,” Ms Germishuys said.
Donations can also be made through the BackaBuddy campaign.