INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

portion of its revenue from investment interest.
Financial challenges are likely to continue to play a big role in the center’s future.
The overall financial volatility in recent years of South Africa have taken a toll
nationwide. The rand-to-dollar exchange rate has dropped rom R11 to R18 in as little as
three years. “This makes us even more reliant on international donors,” explained Sarah.
This financial erosion continues to leave a feeling of uncertainty over South Africa’s
markets and recently led to the firing of its financial minister. Furthermore, health related
challenges faced by Pastor Mike and his wife have limited their ability to fundraise. In
past years, they would take yearly visits to the United States to speak at churches and
raise funds. Due to health challenges, they have not been able to return for three years,
although a visit was planned for the upcoming summer. It is likely that in the future they
will need to find a new means of cultivating a relationship with North America-based
churches and other donors.
5Cees as a Community
In South Africa, 5Cees holds legal status as a registered non-profit organization and
it is operated and managed by a fairly large staff and board of directors. In spite of this,
the business functions of 5Cees often come secondary to a more prominent feature of the
center– the fact that it serves as a community. Staff members who have worked there for
many years have developed sophisticated relationships with each other. Among caremothers,
security guards, and maintenance men, there exists a certain level of friendship,
not uncommon for people who have worked together for a long time.
Among the children, it was also a sophisticated social environment. Friendships
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