At the time, the Roman-Catholic Congregation Holy Childhood Sisters decided to build a home for abandoned, abused, neglected, and orphaned children in the rural community of Mbongolwane, South Africa. In more than 30 years of work, hundreds of disadvantaged girls and boys – often HIV positive – found a substitute family with sisters and child careworkers, who are looking after “their” children 24/7. Project founders were Sister Elkana, Sr. Gottlinde, and Sister Lucella.

St. Joseph Children’s Home is part of a mission station in Mbongolwane, founded by French Oblates in 1914. Ten years later, in 1924, the station was taken over by Missionary Benedictines of the
St. Ottilien Congregation. In 1959, this congregation was succeeded by the Franciscan Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus.

Today, the site houses St. Joseph church, the Catholic convent, a kindergarden, and a sewing center. Mbongolwane hospital, formerly part of the mission, is situated next door. It has been fully managed by the South African government since 1978. In 2014, St. Joseph Children’s Home was completely renovated and expanded; it was also officially recognized as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) at that time. Since then, the home has operated under its new name: St. Joseph Child & Youth Care Center. It provides a safe home and environment for up to 30 disadvantaged children aged 0 to 12 years.