Funding has been approved for the purchase of a forth foster care home in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. Family Restoration Services , a non profit organization, currently provides care for 23 children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS and/or neglected, abused and abandoned by their caregivers.

In addition to the 23 children being cared for in foster homes, Family Restoration Services plans to involve at least 800 children in a comprehensive community development programme.

The fourth foster care home has paved the way for an additional 7 children who have been added to the programme.

"These 7 children come from the most devastating circumstances, dilapidated shack-type houses with no running water or bathroom and the bucket system toilet. They waited patiently for over a year to be accommodated in one of the foster care homes," says Mrs Tia Wessels, founder and Director of Family Restoration Services.

The house is beautifully renovated with a bathroom, hot water and all the necessary amenities. Within the next six months the renovations and additions to all four houses will be completed and the homes will be more than adequately furnished.

"The new homes provide the children with a feeling of pride. It helps them to turn their backs on a life of neglect, poverty, hardship and insecurity," says Mrs Wessels. "Our organization assists the children to develop physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. From living on the streets, they are now accommodated in well built homes with the most needed furniture. The children are well fed, well clothed and they all attend school or pre-school. Children's Court Inquiries are opened and the children are being placed in the care of foster mothers. The programme gives security to the children and a feeling of permanency."

In the latest statistical data on Motherwell, the four major problems mentioned are: Alcoholism, Drugs, Unemployment and Poverty. Family Restoration Services formulated a community development plan for the immediate areas around the four foster care homes, involving and training community members in four different programs -

1) The Child Welfare South Africa brain child, Isolabantwana (Eye on the Child) where women are being trained to be watchdogs and caregivers;
2) A home based care programme to assist people suffering from Aids and other illnesses (including an awareness and prevention programme)
3) Parenting and foster parent training programmes.
4) Awareness programs in family violence and child trafficking.
At least 800 children will benefit from these programmes.

"This fourth home together with the launch of the community development program is a great step forward for our organization, but the need in these areas are much greater" says Mrs Wessels. Family Restoration Services will apply for funding of two more houses as soon as these four houses with the different programmes are running smoothly.

For further information please visit http://www.familyrestoration.org.za