Personal message

Hi, my name is Jenny  am 64 years old and is divorced with three grown up children. Because of my love for helping children in need, but in particular children who were abused/neglected, in 2020, a children’s court in the Western Cape placed Petrus Smit in foster care with me.

Background:The rationale for appointing me as a foster parent is because my goal is to provide a family life for children who cannot live with their own parents. Because Petrus Smit experienced abuse, was abandoned and exposed to pornographic material while in the care of his biological dad after his mom who was my daughter, passed away, social services Badisa got involved. I went through an assessment process, with reference to the Children's Act 2005, section 167 (1), the children’s court was approached by Badisa who placed Petrus Smit with me on a short term basis. Although the goal was reunification with his biological dad, two independent assessors were appointed to determine whether Petrus Smit’s ongoing disruptive behavior can possibly be link to the trauma he endured. Because the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1989): Article XXV (25) (1) - states that any child who is permanently or temporarily deprived of his family environment for any reason shall be entitled special protection and assistance, Petrus Smit’s best interest was their primary consideration. Both of them concluded that it will be imperative to ensure that Petrus received the care necessary for his physical and mental well-being. Based on their reports and recommendations’, in August 2023, the children’s court changed the short term placement to a long term placement with me. Although Article 9 (1) of The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1989): - states that States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, because Petrus was physically and sexually abused/neglected while in the care of his biological dad, Petrus Smit’s biological dad’s rights to reunited with him was terminated. In accordance with applicable law and procedures, such separation is necessary for the best interests of …and therefore he will stay in foster care with me till he is 18 years old

extended by the court for a period of not more than two (2) years at a time. Petrus Smit’s current placement with me will be reviewed in 2025.

As mentioned earlier, Petrus Smit has disruptive behavior and grapple academically in the two government schools he was enrolled in. He was unmanageable despite of receiving medication to control his behavior. Regrettably, his problematic behavior affected his academic, social and daily functioning. Consequently, he could not cope/adjust in both schools, and because of that, it was recommended that either he left the school or he will be expelled. Because I realized that one of his basic rights is education, I used up all my savings to enrolled him for homeschooling which was R7850.00 for 2023 and will be R7900 for 2024. The schooling costs involved will increases each year. To provide for his basic needs,

Although, he is receiving trauma focused and cognitive behavior therapy, a registered therapist do it pro bono because financially I'm not in the position to pay for psychotherapy and the waiting period to receive the same therapy in the government facilities is not easily accessible because it can take up months to years, due to a shortage of clinical psychologists/social workers.

My only source of income is: Myself: R2090 (State pension) Foster care allowance: R1030. Total: R3120.00. Based on all the aforementioned facts, I desperately need your help and assistance. In 2024, he will starts with grade 6. Also important to mention is that Petrus is doing academically exceptionally well, but without financial assistance for rent, groceries and school fees, I will not be able to provide the necessary care and home schooling for this Petrus. Groceries can be given in the form of food vouchers, and the school fees can be paid directly to the relevant school-name available on request. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, no matter how small. Proof of payments will be available on all spend and on request. Please open your heart.