All Our Children First operates FOUR existing programmes, they are:

1. Residential Care Programme

The Executive Director of AOCF cares for seven children who have experienced need and trauma, in her own home based in Edenvale. They have either been placed in long term care or have now been adopted by Glenda Butler. This programme is in no way comparable to institutionalised care because they are a family, and they are fully integrated into the community, each child attending an appropriate primary or nursery school within the community. Each child must be nurtured, protected, educated, fed, and given every opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity in accordance with the mission statement of AOCF.

2. Short-Term Crisis Facility

The crisis facility operates on a 24 hour a day basis and the only criteria for admission is NEED. Other Social Welfare Agencies, the South African Police Services, and the Department of Social Development Social Workers refer babies and children to the Crisis Facility for intervention. The babies and children accommodated, have often been abandoned and / or abused; more often than not, their HIV/AIDS status is unknown.

Immediate, appropriate medical and emotional care is given; HIV/AIDS testing is done privately (a costly procedure) in order to speed up the evaluation process. The children’s needs are then assessed, evaluation and recommendations are appropriately sought. Some of these little ones are already terminally ill. and some die. Until now, we have always managed, with difficulty, to cope with frail, extra ‘bodies’, but in the spirit of the MISSION STATEMENT, additional space and structure is required.

3. Special Needs Programme

The Executive Director has developed a network of professionals who support the efforts of AOCF. When children’s needs have been assessed, they are referred to these professionals, or other specialist organisations for appropriate intervention. Children in extreme need or trauma are given access to the assistance that they need through this programme.

4. Self Help and Job Creation Programme

The incredible generosity of this community in the donation of goods, and particularly clothing, has led to a system of baling. These bales are made up on a regular basis and sold at a nominal fee to mothers who are unemployed and registered with us. The mothers then resell the contents of the bales to help support their own children, keeping all their profits. Since ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST refuses to foster a ‘hand-out’ mentality, mothers without any alternative source of income are able to act responsibly and retain a sense of dignity.

This programme has been extremely successful in lessening the numbers of children in need, and has largely eliminated the existence (in Edenvale) of the ‘robot’ beggars. AOCF, with the support of the community, is thus successfully creating employment for those who would otherwise be forced to beg and children are being kept out of the welfare cycle as a result of poverty.

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Background and Introduction to the AOCF Project

For a number of years, Glenda Butler, the Executive Director and Founder of AOCF, has implemented these programmes together with one domestic assistant, who works a 46hr.week and some incredibly loyal supporters. Each initiative has a PHYSICAL and FINANCIAL cost and both to a large extent are absorbed by Glenda .and access to regular donations of food and goods. The exacting physical, emotional and financial demands make it no longer possible for ONE person to be responsible for all that is entailed. Energy, passion and commitment are simply not enough. For ANY and ALL of the programmes to continue successfully, sustainable FINANCIAL support is URGENTLY needed

AOCF is a fully registered NPO (Non Profit Organisation) operating under a Management Committee in terms of its own constitution. A Treasurer oversees the financial affairs of the organisation and full audited Financial Statements are available upon request.

Furthermore, AOCF has developed a significant vision in response to the needs of children experienced over many years, and now needs to establish a base upon which to pursue this vision. The Director and founder has done a remarkable job of sustaining the organisation and the community has supported her efforts by donating goods, food, materials and funds. A small group of dedicated individuals have pledged to support the organisation financially on a regular basis. However, most support is received on an irregular basis and it is prudent, given the scope of the vision, and the growth of current services for attention to be directed towards the financial sustainability of the operations.

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Human Resources Programme

ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST offers a SKILLS-based volunteer programme. If a member of the community has time, desire and some specific skill, it would be possible to make a contribution by becoming involved in any of the following ways:

• Fundraising Team
• PRO/Marketing
• Office Admin
• Cook a Meal
• Computer Instructor
• Painter
• Reception
• Drivers
• Printing Services
• Plumber
• Electrician
• General Handyman

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Material Resource Programmes

Accessing donations of food, cleaning materials, toiletries etc. All donations to AOCF that are not required for our own services will be distributed to individuals who actively engage in feeding the poor in a dignified and empathetic manner.. Unwanted goods, clothes, shoes, linen etc.

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Financial Sustainability Programme – Fund Raising/Marketing/Administration

This programme will focus on accessing IMMEDIATE funding and developing fundraising strategies so that AOCF present operational costs are secured and is thus better able to pursue its objectives ,whilst developing an administrative capacity to ensure that the efforts to sustain the goodwill of the Organisation and Supporters are upheld.