INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

somewhat parallel to the experience of growing up in a religiously practicing household
in a traditional setting, as the majority of children do globally. In many cases, children
receive a heavy exposure to the religion practiced by their caregivers, although no
conditions or obligations are placed upon the child to accept the religion as his or her
own.
The center’s religious affiliation is one of the main reasons preventing it from
receiving government support. The children do reap benefit as a result of the church’s
strong religious presence, as a result of the extended help that the center receives from
ministry-related networks. The center is securely funded, however, with the majority of
its funding coming from the United States. A Presbyterian congregation in Irvine is the
center’s largest donor, contributing close to a million rand each year. Prior to a recent
downturn in health, Pastor Mike would visit California each year on a speaking tour,
visiting four churches in particular that served as recurring donors. The international
churches often provided further support in the form of volunteer hours, or in funding for
special projects such as the winter camp or the renovation of guest apartments. While a
secularly operated center might receive more government support, it would not compare
to the levels of financial and personal support that Pastor Mike recieves from an
international network of churches.
The center also benefits from being connected to several local churches. Although
they do not often have the same financial resources as the North American churches,
congregations from around Johannesburg appear regularly on the list of monthly donors.
The experience of picking up a large donation of food products from a nearby church
with Marc was just one of the ways churches provided support beyond finances.
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