Often when a family is in crisis their only coping strategy is to ask their children to stop
schooling and return to work, or they cut back on their already meager food supplies. Frequently
both of these strategies are employed. It became evident that for many of our older children this was
regularly happening, so in response we extended our welfare department to include community
field workers to make home visits to the those absentee children and see how we could offer
support to the family.
We were amazed to learn how fast a family can spiral into crisis. The community field workers
learned that so many families have taken in abandoned children and that this was placing
unbearable strain on the existing family. Part of our family enhancement program is to provide
emergency food parcels and medical help, while our staff, together with the family, find
long term solutions.
PCF social workers provide an additional layer of support to the children by working hand in hand with
their families assisting them with practical help such as emergency food parcels, house repair,
and giving support during times of bereavement and one on one councelling.