Build simple, loving connections for every child.

Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, are nurtured, protected and loved, and where their caregivers are supported to play an active role in their lives. In South Africa, a myriad of challenges – including poverty, gender-based violence and lack of adequate parental support programmes – present barriers for children to thrive. A significant focus of the strategies under this opportunity is that caregivers cannot provide a loving and nurturing environment if they are not capacitated to do so, or they live in an environment that actively undermines their efforts. We also appreciate that caregiving is informed by parenting beliefs that are largely shaped by culture, traditions and values. We need to understand how we can support parents and caregivers at the household and community level by leveraging existing networks and shifting dominant narratives and norms about caregiving.

five-year aim:

› Develop networks of support to parents to have positive impacts on children in at least 50 000 homes.