St Laurence's Children's Haven

St Laurence's Children's Haven was founded in January 2001 under the auspices of Roodepoort Child and Family Welfare Society. The Haven was the dream of a group of life-long friends and we have managed to keep the home open for 16 years. We look after approximately 32 children at any one time, and last year provided care for 67 children. Some children are with us for a few months, others have been with us for 16 years.

The children experience love and care in a secure and warm environment. They attend local schools and are supervised by trained house parents who are approved by Child and Family Welfare. Under these conditions they adapt to becoming young, healthy, caring and balanced children.

Five of our girls have matriculated and are currently studying at tertiary institutions. These children are totally reliant on our fundraising efforts to ensure that they have a better future than their past!

Administration and fundraising is undertaken on a completely voluntary basis and all money raised goes directly to the children. There are no hidden admin costs which is so often the case.

We do not receive subsidies of any kind and rely entirely on several fundraising events throughout the year, as well as the generosity of the community we operate in. The St Laurence's Children's Haven is a registered public benefit organisation, and in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act, all donations are exempt from Income Tax.