Campaign to raise funds to rebuild historic youth centre in Tongaat
The Girls and Boys Town Tongaat campus, which currently provides residential care, safety, therapy and educational support to 24 children aged 10-18 each year, was built by Dominican nuns over 100 years ago. Due to aging infrastructure that has compromised the campus buildings and the safety of the young residents, it needs a major reconstruction.
The campus is one of the flagship premises of the 61-year old non-profit youth-care organisation and it has a rich history in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where it is known for caring for and creating opportunities for vulnerable youth to grow and develop into responsible citizens. Since the historic campus was turned into a youth residential centre in 1978, it has nurtured a substantial amount of youth.
Despite efforts to maintain the premises, some of the buildings are falling down, crumbling and some are condemned.
For this reason, Girls and Boys Town has launched a capital campaign to raise funds to create a new safe and homely environment for vulnerable youth in Tongaat and surrounding areas in the province.
Together with the generous help of Boogertman + Partners and other firms which have already rallied to help the cause, there is an ambitious plan that will be implemented in phases. The Tongaat campus rebuild will not only preserve Kwa-Zulu Natal history but also serve future generations of children who desperately depend on Girls and Boys Town’s strong grounding to survive and thrive. The unique crowd-funding initiative will enable potential donors from corporate companies and all South Africans to give to this worthy cause.
“We appeal to the public to assist us with this project so we can provide a home for youth in the same way as our other residences in South Africa, including Magaliesburg and Kagiso in Gauteng and Macassar in Cape Town. We hope that South Africans will open their hearts and donate because we believe that every child needs a secure and loving home,” says Lee Loynes, CEO of Girls and Boys Town.
To also take part and support us in this cause, contact our head office on +27 11 482 2655, send an e-mail to mailing@gbtown.org.za, alternatively visit www.girlsandboystown.org.za/townstore-campaign/