World Adoption Day celebrated in Somerset West

Wandisa Child Protection NPC marked World Adoption Day with its annual picnic at the Helderberg Nature Reserve on Saturday, November 8.

Children and their siblings spent the afternoon playing, socialising, and forming new friendships, while parents and members of the Wandisa team supervised and connected.

"The only way that we can make a permanent difference, though, is through adoption, because this is the ultimate child protection measure for children who have no adult assuming responsibility for them. Sadly, over the years, the number of children needing help increased, while the number of families coming forward to adopt decreased," said Debbie Wybrow, the director of the organisation.

Wandisa is a specialised social work organisation that provides protection and support for vulnerable children who are neglected, abused, abandoned, or orphaned. The organisation intervenes in unsafe situations, places children in temporary safe care, and works to secure permanent placements — most often through adoption.

In addition to facilitating both local and international adoptions, Wandisa also supports vulnerable families, conducts court-directed social work assessments, and advocates for the long-term wellbeing of children in need.