INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

what is the center committed to do for its children, no matter what. This includes basic
needs like food and shelter, education, safety, and remaining true to their religious
motivations.
At the beginning of my research, I recognized the fact that many of the questions
frequently asked of child care institutions do not ultimately play a practical role given the
real world needs of OVC in countries like South Africa. Asking a broad question such as
“are institutions beneficial or harmful for children” serves little pragmatic benefit in
settings where there are no other alternatives. I echoed Braitstein’s advocacy to instead
ask the question of how institutions can be improved. From my conversations with the
staff, administration, advisors, volunteers, alumni, and children of 5Cees, it was evident
that this was a question the center asked itself on a regular basis. It also became clear that
this introspective question led the center to commit to several core principles, and
although I never found these commitments formally listed, they were areas in which the
center refused to compromise.
Tending to the base of the hierarchy of needs
Most of the people I talked to considered a good childhood to be one where basic
needs such as food and shelter are securely met, one where children are able to form
healthy interpersonal relationships with others, and one where children are gradually
introduced to more and more opportunities for independence, ultimately culminating in
their own emancipation.
The first thing on this list is basic physiological needs. These include things like
food, water, sleep, homeostasis, followed by physical shelter and security. It may seem
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