During the reporting period a child was transferred to Bright Lights from another facility that had to unfortunately close. This child has been in the childcare system since the age of nine. According to the information received, he was cared for by his father since he was six months old. Apparently, his father fetched him from the mother for a visit and never returned. After a while his father was not able to care for him anymore and left him at a social worker’s office. He has not had any contact with his family since then. 

At the time of coming to Bright Lights he was already 15 and had a desire for contact with his family. Through co-operation with other organisations, we have been successful in tracing his mother to an address in George. Although no visitation has been possible due to the lockdown regulations, they have been in contact through telephonic conversations. The family is very excited that they have been contacted and to now know where the child is. He also has three siblings whom he has never met. To date we have not been able to trace the father yet, it is believed that he has left South Africa and returned to Burundi.

Although there will be a road towards seeing him back with his family, the funding made available from StreetSmart SA has allowed us to be able to contact the family and provide options to this boy who thought that he would forever be without a family.

 ooOoo