Rock of Hope Place of Safety’s commitment to caring for vulnerable babies and children earned the organisation second place in the Best Children and Youth Support Centre category in the Best of Pretoria Awards.

The recognition gave the registered temporary safe care home in Magalieskruin, north of Pretoria, an opportunity to highlight the plight of vulnerable children and encourage the Pretoria community to become more involved in its work.

Rock of Hope has operated since 2011 and has cared for 314 babies and children who were abandoned, abused, neglected or suffering from serious medical challenges.

The children remain at the home while the courts determine a suitable permanent placement, which may include adoption, foster care or placement with family.

Founder Wouter Prozesky said the organisation does not do its work for recognition, but being acknowledged by the community was still meaningful.

“While not doing what we do for recognition, it is still a wonderful feeling to see that people actually see what you are doing and notice it,” said Prozesky.

He said the organisation’s work would not be possible without the involvement of the community, businesses and individuals who provide the resources needed to care for the children.

“As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, or in our case, children.

“We can’t do what we do without the community, business and individuals being actively involved, ensuring that we have the necessary resources to continue caring for the little ones placed in our care.”

The children who arrive at Rock of Hope often come from traumatic circumstances.

Prozesky said some have suffered severe abuse, while others have been abandoned or exposed to unsafe environments.

The organisation has also cared for babies experiencing drug withdrawal after their mothers used drugs during pregnancy.

Rock of Hope provides interventions according to each child’s needs, including medical treatment, trauma counselling, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, language therapy, dental care and, where necessary, surgery.

“When they arrive, we start off by taking them for a complete medical evaluation that includes blood tests.

“If abuse is suspected, we also get a form J88 completed and, if necessary, a case is opened with the police,” said Prozesky.

One case that remains particularly meaningful to the organisation involved a baby who arrived with HIV and Hepatitis C.

With specialist medical assistance and treatment, the child’s HIV viral load was brought down to almost undetectable levels, while the Hepatitis C viral load also dropped significantly.

For Prozesky, the greatest reward comes from seeing children begin to recover emotionally.

“We always say we cry twice about the children. Once when they arrive, and we see and learn about the circumstances they were removed from or out of and then when we hand them over to their forever homes.”

Rock of Hope’s biggest challenges include securing sufficient finances and resources. At the same time, limits on the number of children it can accommodate constrain its ability to meet demand for temporary safe care.

Prozesky said the organisation receives almost daily requests from social workers looking for space for children in need of care and protection.

The organisation also relies heavily on donations and volunteers. Contributions can range from financial assistance to everyday necessities such as cleaning and bathing products, food, second-hand clothing and equipment.

“People do not realise that even a small donation, whether R10 or a bottle of Sunlight, makes a huge difference,” Prozesky said.

He thanked those who voted for Rock of Hope, saying the recognition showed that the organisation’s work had not gone unnoticed.

“Thanks is such a small word for such a huge recognition. Thanks for noticing what we do,” the founder expressed.

Members of the public who would like to support Rock of Hope can contact the organisation via its Facebook page, by calling 079 423 4799 or emailing wouter@rockofhope.co.za.