When people hear the words “safe house”, they often think of a roof, a bed, and a warm meal. But caring for a vulnerable child is far more than basic shelter. At Miracle Kidz Safe House, our children need stability, structure, schooling, medical care, clothing, and above all—consistent love and supervision every single day.

In 2025, the average cost of caring for one child at Miracle Kidz worked out to R240 per day.

That single figure represents a full, wraparound care model—because children don’t just need a place to sleep. They need a childhood.

What does R240 per day include?

That R240 per child per day covers the essential costs of day-to-day care, including:

1) Food & Nutrition

Children need regular, nutritious meals—not just once-off groceries. This includes:

• breakfast, lunch, supper, and school snacks
• basic household essentials (milk, bread, cooking ingredients, hygiene items)
• special dietary needs where required

2) Safe Shelter & Basic Living Needs

A safe house must run like a home—and a small “village” at times:

• rent/maintenance and repairs
• electricity, water, gas
• bedding, cleaning supplies, laundry
• security and safe living spaces

3) Clothing & Personal Care

Many children arrive with little to nothing.

• everyday clothing and shoes
• school uniforms
• toiletries, sanitary products, hair care
• seasonal needs (jackets, blankets)

4) Medical Care & Wellbeing

Trauma affects the body as much as the heart.

• clinic visits and prescriptions
• medical emergencies and transport
• counselling and emotional support services (where needed)
• basic healthcare items and first aid

5) Schooling & Education Support

Education is one of the strongest pathways out of poverty and vulnerability:

• school fees (where applicable), stationery, books
• transport to school and appointments
• extra academic support, tutoring, or special needs support
• learning resources and developmental activities

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What does that cost over a month or a year?

To make it easier to understand the full picture:

• R240 per day × 365 days = R87,600 per child per year
• That’s roughly R7,300 per month per child (annual cost divided by 12)

This is the reality of providing consistent care—every day, all year, including weekends, holidays, and emergencies.

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But what about government support?

Many people assume the government fully funds the care of children in foster care. While government assistance helps, it does not cover the full cost of safe-house care.

Foster Child Grant (SASSA)

• Grant Name: Foster Child Grant
• Amount: Around R1,260 per month per child (figures vary slightly between sources)
• Who gets it: Foster parents, relatives, or institutions legally caring for children under a court order
• Purpose: Supports basic needs of children in foster care
• Administration: Paid by SASSA

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The funding gap: what’s still needed?

If one child costs roughly R7,300/month, and the Foster Child Grant contributes about R1,260/month, the shortfall is approximately:

• R7,300 – R1,260 = R6,040 per month per child
• Over a year, that gap becomes:
  • R87,600 – (R1,260 × 12 = R15,120) = R72,480 per child per year

In simple terms: the grant helps—but it does not come close to covering full-time, full-care support.

And when you multiply that shortfall across multiple children, it becomes clear why community support is not optional—it is essential.

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Why Miracle Kidz keeps going anyway

Because behind every number is a child with a name, a story, and a future.

Children in our care have often experienced abandonment, neglect, abuse, trauma, and instability. A safe house must restore what was broken—slowly, patiently, and consistently.

That takes:

• trained, caring adults
• stable routines and safe boundaries
• daily meals and clean clothing
• a home environment
• education and emotional support
• and the belief that a child’s past does not have to define their future

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How you can help

If you’ve ever wondered whether your support makes a difference—this is your answer.

Sponsor a child’s care

Even small monthly contributions help close the gap:

• R50 / R100 / R250 / R500 per month
• once-off donations
• grocery or clothing sponsorships
• medical support contributions
• school stationery packs or uniform support

Partner with Miracle Kidz

Businesses, churches, families, and community groups can support through:

• monthly giving
• fundraising drives
• essential goods donations
• skills support (where appropriate)
• awareness sharing

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A child is not a line item—yet care has a cost

We wish love alone paid the bills. But food, shelter, medical care, and schooling cost money—every day.

R240 per day may sound small until you realise it represents a full year of safety, stability, and care for a child who has already faced more than most adults ever will.

Thank you for standing with Miracle Kidz—so our children can grow up protected, supported, and hopeful.

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