Kids Haven was founded in 1992 by Moira Simpson as a response to increasing numbers of children on the streets of Benoni in Ekurhuleni and the violent deaths of 2 street children.
Moira Simpson qualified as a Social Worker after raising her own children
Moira began to feed children on the streets and build a relationship with them
Moira used the Methodist church hall once a week to give school lessons
On 13 October 1992 residential care was established in the Old Kleinfontein Hospital,
a derelict building that had been standing vacant for three years.
Twenty children moved into Old Kleinfontein and K.I.D.S. (kids in dire straights)
Haven was formally started.
Moira Simpson spearheads the formation of the Johannesburg Alliance for Street children
in conjunction with other shelters in Sedibeng (Vaal) and Johannesburg.
Two houses were purchased by donors for Kids Haven in Mackenzie Park, near the Old
Kleinfontein Hospital. These were the first homes in the Kids Haven Village.
The Old Kleinfontein Hospital building was condemned and Kids Haven was forced to
move. A generous sponsor donated a building in the Benoni CBD and Kids Haven relocated
to the new Multi Purpose Centre/ Shelter.
A third house was donated for the Kids Haven Village.
Kids Haven was registered as a Non Profit Organisation.
Two new houses were donated to the Kids Haven Village bringing the total to 5.
The buildings for the Kids Haven Pre-
The Kids Haven Community Programme began with community leaders working with KH Staff
to implement a preventative programme and the start of the Reunification programme
tracing family members and reuniting the children to the family.
The Bridging School was formalised into specific classes according to age and ability.
Moira Simpson was named as a finalist in the Gauteng Premier’s Awards for Women and
in the “Community Category” of the Shoprite Checkers woman of the Year Competition.
The Kids Haven Pre-
The Admin and Therapy Centre opened.
Kids Haven was granted section 18a status by SARS.
A sixth house was bought for Kids Haven and opened at the end of the year.
Kids Haven passes a Quality Inspection completed by the Department of Social Services
with excellent results.
Kids Haven coordinates the first regional census of street children and youth at
risk for the Ekurhuleni region on behalf of the National Alliance for Street Children
in September
The MEC for Social Development, Mr. Bob Mabaso, states that Kids Haven is a “model
of best practise” in September 2004
Kids Haven monthly numbers reach over 200 as a result of the increasing numbers of
children on the streets
Kids Haven is commissioned by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to write up the
Kids Haven model of care for street children
Moira Simpson is invited with 4 other South Africans to meet with Oprah Winfrey and
the Board of Oprah’s Angel Network to discuss child headed households and the plight
of children in South Africa
Sam Mokgopha is promoted to Assistant Director at Kids Haven and elected as chairperson
of the Gauteng Alliance for Street Children.
During April and June, Moira Simpson and Sam Mokgopha participated in the Children’s
Bill working Group, Street Children Sub-
systems dealing
with children under South African law.
Kids Haven hosts the MEC for Social Development in January 2007
Kids Haven is given a 96% rating by the DSD for our business plan and related activities
on 31 January 2007 and again in November 2007
Kids Haven qualifies for improved funding from the DSD as a direct result of the
high ratings achieved in the audit.
Kids Haven works in closer partnership with the Teddy Bear Clinic who seeks residential
placements for severely sexually abused children.
Moira Simpson is elected onto the Parent/teacher association at the Oprah Academy
of Leadership
Moira Simpson and Sam Mokgopha are invited to a panel discussion with the National
Dept. of Social Development to discuss the role of shelters and the new Childcare
act.
In October 2008, Moira Simpson and Sam Mokgopha are tasked by the National Dept.
of Social Development with supporting shelters in 4 inland provinces to upgrade their
services in line with the requirements of the Children’s Act.
There are 4 girls attending the Oprah Academy of Leadership
KH has its first group of youth at University.