Reflecting on Angels Care’s journey in 2024 fills me with immense joy and gratitude. It was a year that truly showcased the strength of our shared vision in transforming the lives of children through healing and nurturing.

Early Childhood Development Centre: A Dream Realised

The realization of our dream, the Early Childhood Development Centre, became a vibrant reality where 160 young children now learn, laugh and thrive. This remarkable facility, recognized with the prestigious International Union of Architects (UIA 2030) Award in partnership with UN Habitat, offers vital educational resources within a nurturing and sustainable environment.

Old Agricultural Hall: A Thriving Community Hub

Our impact has been further amplified by the restored Old Agricultural Hall, which has become a thriving community hub. Its well-equipped kitchen enables us to expand our nutritional programs, including after-school meals and our Saturday feeding program. In 2025, the Hall now hosts a dedicated after-school tuition centre for 30 high school students and play-based learning areas for 180 younger children, complete with engaging outdoor equipment. We are delighted to partner with Hilton College with their students coming three afternoons a week and on Saturday mornings to assist with our educational, sporting and nutritional programs.

Community Outreach: Diverse and Impactful

Our community outreach efforts are diverse and impactful. This past winter, our winter warmth program distributed over 500 blankets and other warm clothing to children in need. Additionally, we provided crucial assistance to households affected by fire, floods, and economic hardship.

Spiritual and Emotional Support: Our Core Foundation

The Centre and our dedicated staff are deeply committed to providing spiritual and emotional support to everyone under our care. Our Christian values are the foundation of all our programs, ensuring that all children attending the Centre receive spiritual and emotional support within the classroom and through smaller community prayer and support groups. My sincere gratitude extends to our dedicated, tenacious, and courageous staff, who pour boundless and unconditional love into everything they do. Each of them is truly a remarkable blessing to the Centre and the children we serve.

Commitment to Holistic Care: Steadfast and Comprehensive

Our commitment to holistic care remains steadfast. Our healthcare team provided essential medical care to 418 children, while our Crisis Centre offered compassionate support to 52 child victims of sexual assault and 110 children navigating trauma, neglect, and grief. We provided safe shelter for 37 children in our emergency overnight facility, and our counselling services offered solace to 199 children and their families. Throughout the year, we proudly served 88,020 nutritious meals to the children in our care.

Strengthening Families and Fostering Change

Our community outreach programs played a significant role in strengthening families and fostering positive change, reaching 5,621 community members through educational initiatives. Empowering children with knowledge about their rights, encouraging open communication, and addressing harmful societal norms are central to our work.

The Hall Café, made possible through the generosity of Cal Turner, with its inviting motto “Drink great coffee for a change,” now serves as a wonderful connection point between the community and Angels Care, with all proceeds directly benefiting our vital programs.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our international funders, including Brentwood United Methodist Church and CUSP, along with the numerous local individuals, corporations, churches, and trusts who support us here in South Africa. The continued generosity of each of our sponsors and donors is essential to maintaining and expanding our facilities and programs, which have such a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of children and their families. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference, every single day. Our thanks also go to the Department of Education for their financial contribution towards the running of the preschool and the Department of Social Development who provides some financial aid for our emergency overnight facility. We are also grateful that our children seamlessly continue their primary school education at our partner organisation, Thembelihle School, after completing their foundational learning at our Early Childhood Development Centre.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my fellow Board members who selflessly give of their time and resources.

  • Natalie’s years of service as our incredible treasurer, ensuring the strict and transparent fiscal management of the Centre, have been invaluable. We extend our sincere thanks for her dedication.
  • We also warmly welcomed Erin, who took over as treasurer on January 1, 2025. Her compassion and extensive knowledge are a significant asset, enabling the Board to manage the Centre’s finances efficiently and effectively.
  • As always, I am deeply grateful to Bronwyn Blades, our Deputy Chair on the executive committee, who also assists with the Centre’s fiscal oversight, financial sustainability, and long-term strategy.
  • Wendy’s enthusiasm and love for our children ensure our early childhood development programs are always current and engaging.
  • Wendy is now ably supported by Dave Cato, the principal of Thembelihle School and the ECD at Angels Care. Dave brings a wealth of experience and wisdom, which has been instrumental in building an incredible team of educators, led by Mrs. Rosh Henry. Together, they have a tremendous and positive impact on the educational opportunities we provide our young ones.
  • Jo James’s love and compassion for children and for all that Angels Care represents make her a valued member of our Board, whose wise and thoughtful nature is invaluable.
  • Georgina Purdon, who is both a staff member and a Committee member, ensures the smooth operational running of all aspects of the Centre and provides consistent and much-appreciated feedback to our sponsors and donors.
  • Paul Rowney and Savannah Rattray bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the Board, which we truly value.
  • Lindsay Bam, one of our newer and dynamic Board members who joined us last year, has been a great asset in many aspects of Board governance and fundraising.
  • Hugh Queener’s dedicated, committed, and ongoing support is a tremendous asset to us all, despite the physical distance which separates us. His leadership and fundraising efforts through the CUSP Foundation, along with all their directors, have made possible the building of our state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development Centre, the renovation of our health and crisis care centre, and the wonderful renovations of the Old Agricultural Hall. His connection with the missions and outreach group at Brentwood United Methodist Church and his time and expertise in updating the Centre’s strategic plan are greatly appreciated.
  • Ani Missirian-Wilson has played a vital role as the representative for Brentwood United Methodist Church. Their continued love and support for the children and their families, along with our staff, is a testament to the incredible partnership between Brentwood Methodist Church and our Centre, for which we are immensely grateful.

I look forward to many more years working with this dedicated Board team.

At Angels Care, I firmly believe that our holistic approach is the key to a brighter future. We are dedicated to nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit – thereby strengthening our community. We witness the transformative power of education in unlocking potential, healthcare in healing, outreach in building vital connections, and our work in preventing gender-based violence in creating a safer society. I am incredibly humbled and honoured to be part of the profound impact Angels Care has on vulnerable children in the uMngeni Municipality.

With the conclusion of 2024, our hearts overflow with gratitude for the profound impact we have collectively achieved. The successes of this year are a direct result of the unwavering dedication of our staff, the tireless efforts of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors and donors, and the trust placed in us by the children and families we serve. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide healing, nurturing, and hope, and we look forward with anticipation to another year of transformative impact.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Angels Care journey.

– Dr. Carolyn Hancock, Chairperson, Angels Care Centre