Online Workshops, Changing Lives

By now, most of us are used to doing things online. At GCF, we have embraced this shift too, yet it never ceases to amaze us how technology lets us reach people across South Africa and even beyond without leaving our offices. In 2025 alone, we have trained around 130 social service practitioners through online workshops. These sessions have become more than just learning opportunities; they are spaces where connections are built, ideas are shared, and professional growth is visible in real time. The journey hasn’t always been simple. At the start of the year, two full trainings had been prepared for an online platform, and as facilitators we were nervous. We knew the content well, but navigating the online world in a way that worked for everyone was a new challenge. Mistakes happened, but each one was a chance to learn. Today, the sessions are confident, interactive, and full of engagement. Focusing on Children The workshops have focused on recruiting, assessing, and preparing foster families to welcome children safely into their care. The goal is clear: children deserve loving, stable homes where they can heal, not rushed placements that may cause harm. Children are individuals, not cases or items to be moved around. Every child deserves care and attention as if they were part of your own family. Proper assessment and preparation make a real difference, helping children thrive in safe and nurturing environments, especially when returning to their own homes isn’t an option. The training blends GCF’s years of foster care experience, law, and theory with opportunities for shared learning. Some of the most rewarding times are the “aha moments,” when participants suddenly see a concept in a new light or discover a better way to approach a situation. These moments happen not only for participants but for us as facilitators as well, as we learn from how different provinces and offices work and handle challenges. Voices from the Workshops “Each day of the training added something new to my basket of knowledge. The information is already helping me know exactly what to do when I assess clients.” “I’ll be running a workshop with my colleagues to share what I’ve learned, ensuring our assessments are thorough and not rushed.” “I will apply this in my daily practice, paying closer attention to the information I gather and providing ongoing support and evaluations for foster families.” Moving Forward These workshops come with their challenges, but the rewards are clear. Confidence grows, skills deepen, and networks strengthen. Most importantly, every social worker who participates leaves better equipped to put children first, creating safe, thoughtful placements where children can truly be loved and cared for.