Table of Contents
AGM Agenda
- Opening, Welcome & Apologies
- Annual Report
- Annual Financial Statements
- Appointment: Auditors 2025-2026
- Closure
Annual General Meeting: Minutes
| Agenda item | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Welcome | The meeting opened at 18:05. D. Fourie welcomed members and guests. Apologies were entered for D. Mac Taggart, T. Msila, A. Vlok and J. van Heerden. A. Vlok and J. van Heerden entered proxy votes for the auditors in favour of A2A Kopano. |
| Annual Report | The report is attached. Presented by D. Fourie. |
| Annual Financial Statements | The statements are attached. Presented by D. Fourie. C. Jonk asked about applications to the National Lotteries Commission for funding. It was explained that at the time of the previous application cycle the Department of Social Development’s database had not been updated with the new board members, so an application could not be entered at the time. One will be entered as soon as possible. B. Mzileni asked about the insurance payout received for the Ford Ranger that was written off in December 2024. It was explained that the payout of R168 870 was not enough to replace the vehicle, as a new one would cost in the region of R500 000. The payout was absorbed by operational expenses. T. Mabuto asked about future plans for vehicle acquisition. It was explained that the organisation should have a minibus and a bakkie according to the Norms and Standards, and that both will be specifically included in fundraising applications. The social worker currently takes the children to school at 07:30 in two trips in the Toyota Avanza and collects them in two trips in the afternoon. Asked whether this affects her other work, she responded that it does not at this stage. P. Xesha asked how the shortage of vehicles affects taking children home for holidays. The social worker explained that she co-ordinates with the social workers where the children go, to help with transporting the food parcels and the children to their destinations. This has been done since June and has not presented a problem to date. P. Xesha asked about the rental income item in the financial statements. It was explained that the former foster home used to bring in rental income, but is now used as offices. P. Xesha asked whether there are sessions for staff to debrief or discuss challenges. It was explained that staff meetings are scheduled for the morning of the second-last Wednesday of every month, before the board meeting that afternoon. |
| Appointment: Auditors for 2025-2026 | A2A Kopano has been the auditors for Sparrows for 25 years. D. Fourie suggested they remain the auditors, and the group accepted. Proposed by C. Jonk, seconded by M. van Heerden. |
| Closing | D. Fourie closed the meeting and invited members and guests to enjoy refreshments. |
Executive Director’s Report
Finances
Sparrows received funding for 30 children from the Department of Social Development for the financial year, amounting to R1 542 600. The allocation of R4 285 per child per month is split over four line items:
| Funding line | Share | Per child |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition | 28% | R1 199.80 |
| Development, therapy and recreation | 13% | R557.05 |
| Personal care | 17% | R728.45 |
| Administration | 42% | R1 799.70 |
| Total | 100% | R4 285.00 |
Because of economies of scale, the allocation for nutrition is enough. The other items leave us little room to work with.
We are fortunate to receive regular financial contributions from individuals and businesses, which amounted to nearly R428 000. This is an important and significant contribution, because salaries are not fully funded, and the salary of the Executive Director is not funded at all.
| Finances at a glance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Department of Social Development funding for 30 children | R1 542 600 |
| Allocation per child per month | R4 285 |
| Contributions from individuals and businesses | nearly R428 000 |
We received a qualified audit opinion. According to our auditors, all material aspects of our financial reporting are verifiable and correct, but they cannot express an opinion on cash collections such as fundraising events, because that cash enters the accounting system only after it has been deposited in the bank account. This is true of other organisations like Sparrows and is not unique to us.
Significant meetings
The board resolved to meet every two months during the year, and did so.
Objectives
“The object of the Organisation shall be to protect and promote the development, interest, safety and well-being of children within the context of family and community and to safeguard the rights of children.”
We made no changes to the objectives of the organisation or to how they are currently carried out. Sparrows still functions mainly as a Child and Youth Care Centre, giving residential care to children in need of care and protection. Residential care includes nutrition, personal development, individual and group therapy, recreation and education. We provided these services to 30 children during the year.
Staff
The staff of Sparrows have continuously shown their dedication and their willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
Our social worker, Faith Fusa, has been with us since March 2015, and child and youth care workers Nosiphiwo Taliwe and Nosipho Rasmeni since August 2010 and October 2013 respectively.
Conclusion
The 2024-2025 financial year brought many challenges, but also opportunities and successes. I appreciate every person who contributed to concluding the year successfully: children, staff, board, members, donors and partners. I trust that the 2025-2026 financial year will build on the strength of those who have come before us.
David Fourie
Executive Director
Social Worker’s Report
Introduction
We have seen a huge improvement in the co-operation of our placement social workers. Tiny Msila, Thabisa Ntshanga and Anathi Fulani of the Department of Social Development have made a real difference in ensuring that placement social workers are held accountable for their cases.
Mr David Fourie played a special role in making sure that I drew up a schedule of case-conference dates for all our children, so that every family understands the importance of sitting together every quarter for the benefit of a child placed in the care of Sparrows Children’s Home.
I thank the Board and our Executive Director for their support and guidance, for monthly supervision and mentorship, for developing in us a solution-focused approach to day-to-day matters, and for helping us find the best possible version of ourselves and of the children we work for.
Family reunification and placement
Four children left Sparrows in December 2024 to live with family members: one was reunified with their family, two were placed with a grandparent, and one with extended family.
Family conferences
Thirty family conferences were held within residential care, and none elsewhere.
Meetings, training and workshops
| Description | Participants |
|---|---|
| Revised job descriptions | 7 |
| Review of individual development plans (IDPs) | 9 |
| Management meeting | 10 |
| Staff meetings (three held) | 9, 9 and 11 |
| Assessment tool for children in alternative care (virtual workshop) | 5 |
The year in review
- An after-care teacher started helping our children from 14:30 to 16:00.
- SAPS spoke to our children about cyberbullying.
- Children attended ongoing occupational therapy sessions.
- December 2024: children travelled to their communities of origin for the holiday placement. On 10 December a vehicle accident left the home’s bakkie written off. Staff held their Christmas dinner on 16 December.
- January 2025: children returned from their communities on 10 January, and schools opened on 15 January. Staff meetings with the Executive Director were held on 24 January and 29 March.
- We admitted new children in April 2024 and in February 2025, and reached our funded number of 30 before the end of March 2025.
- 19 February 2025: the Department of Social Development visited Sparrows for monitoring and evaluation.
- 26 and 27 February 2025: the provincial, district and local offices of the Department spent two days with us for the Developmental Quality Assurance (DQA) assessment.
- 12 March 2025: jungle gyms were installed.
- 24 to 26 March 2025: a social worker from the Department facilitated the three-day YOLO programme.
Statutory work
| Residential care | Number |
|---|---|
| Residential care supervision reports in terms of section 159(2) | 19 |
| Reports on extension of placement in alternative care beyond 18 years, section 176(1) | 0 |
| Care plans | 23 |
| Children found to be in need of care and protection (section 150(1)) | Number |
|---|---|
| Child removals | 0 |
| Family placements | 4 |
| Institutional placements | 4 |
Children in residential care
Casework
- Children were admitted for a range of social reasons.
- The internal and external social workers assessed children for the holidays.
- The internal social worker holds regular counselling and therapy sessions with the children.
- External social workers and other professionals were invited to help with counselling and to attend the quarterly case conferences.
- Each child’s individual development plan is drawn up by the multi-disciplinary team and the child, and reviewed every six months to encourage, observe and monitor the child’s growth and development.
Group work
The children are grouped by age. The groups work well on Fridays and during the holidays, and they help with behaviour, because the children draw up their own group rules and the consequences of breaking them. Sessions cover independent living for children of 16 and older who are leaving the residential care programme, victim empowerment, family preservation, the rights of children, income-generating activities, individual counselling, grief counselling, trauma counselling and play therapy.
Successes
- We were funded for 30 children this financial year, and reached that number before the end of March 2025.
- Therapeutic group work has been a success: the children voice their feelings more easily.
- Four children were placed with family members.
- Parents have come to understand the importance of visiting their children at the centre, made possible by case conferences held every quarter. Children spend quality time with their families during the December and June school holidays.
- When a family cannot afford to visit, we help with accommodation, food and a phone, so that children and parents stay in touch.
Challenges
- Financial constraints mean the centre cannot yet employ two more child and youth care workers.
Conclusion
We celebrate a year of significant growth and achievement for the staff, the Management Board and the Executive Director. Our commitment to a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment remains our first priority. Thank you to the parents of the children placed in our care for entrusting us with your children’s journey. We look forward to serving the children in the next financial year.
Compiled by Faith Fusa
Social Worker
Donors
We appreciate every donation, whether in cash or in kind. If you made a donation and your name does not appear among our donors, please contact us so that we can correct the mistake.
- ACVV Cradock
- C. McEwan
- AllCopy Publishers
- T. Miza
- Avula Safaris
- N. Moletsane
- Hunter’s Hill Safaris
- Presbyterian Ladies
- A. Daliwonga
- C. Price
- Department of Social Development
- Z. Rasmeni
- K. Domingo
- SAPS
- D. Fourie
- Sparrows Staff
- Gateway Church
- W. Scott
- M. Greyling
- G. Titus
- S. Harvey
- Usave
- L. Killian
- E. Venter
- L. King
- J. van der Vyver
- A. Kula
- C. Weerts
- D. Mac Taggart
- S. Yose
- B. McEwan
- J. van Zyl