The future of five children who have been living together as family for the past eight years, is in jeopardy. 
On Friday afternoon February 3 the Christian Welfare Board (CWB) removed two of the children residing at Esperado Children’s Haven, near Low’s Creek, managed by Sophia Jardim. 

Three more were removed on Tuesday February 7. The children, aged between seven and 12, will probably never see one another again.
Jardim’s life has been in turmoil since December last year when she was informed of the imminent removal of the children. 

Although Sophie lost the battle, she will continue with her passion - to look after disadvantaged children. During the past 10 years she temporarily cared for 43 children.
A tragic chain of events resulted in their removal and Jardim stood powerless against legal procedures. When the guardianship of Merle McClean, who previously resided at the haven, expired, the Department of Health and Social Services refused to reregister the children under the custodianship of one of Sophia’s own two adult children.
The department realised that she was looking after more than six children on one property when McClean’s guardianship expired.

According to the amended Child Care Act 74 of 1983 caregivers can look after only six children on a single property.
According to Atta Viljoen, a social worker of CWB, McClean left the haven in December 2004. The following month the CWB employed a new social worker at its office in Barberton, who was not aware of the circumstances at Esperado Children’s Haven. 

Viljoen told Barberton Times that after numerous discussions to find a solution to the problem, the department made a decision to remove the children.
According to her the CWB had the greatest respect for the commitment Jardim had as a caregiver. “It acknowledges the difficult circumstances under which she operates.”
The decision of the department has angered Jardim, as she never refused to accommodate any child delivered by the CWB to her doorstep. 
There was a mutual bond between the children and Jardim who dearly loved them.
Jackie Mbonani, director of Social Welfare Services said due to the high cost involved, the department was moving away from residential children’s homes. He said that it was policy that children be placed within a family unit.

The Centre of Child Law at the University of Pretoria is currently investigating the circumstances under which the children have been removed.

Peter Ambrosius (centre), honorary member of the Gerbera Association South Africa spoke to members of the Rotary Club last week. He is on a visit to Barberton to oversee the safe arrival of his plant collection that he is donating to the Gerbera Association to display in their gerbera garden. Peter gave an interesting talk on the history of the gerbera, which originally came from Barberton and is well known worldwide. With him is Ben Theron (president) and Roland Jones.

‘n Produksiespan van SABC 2 het verlede week onderhoude gevoer met belangrike rolspelers in Umjindi vir die televisie aktualiteitsprogram Fokus. 
Barberton is die enigste een in Mpmulanga wat gekies is om kykers in te lig hoe hulle dit regkry om een van die top munisipaliteite in die land te wees.
Volgens Karin d’ Orville, vervaardiger, is Umjindi een van ses munisipaliteite landwyd met wie onderhoude gevoer is in ‘n reeks programme wat oor die komende munisipale verkiesing handel.

Onderhoude is met die burgermeester, Richard Lukhele, Phillip Minnaar (DA-raadslid), Nico Oosthuizen (voorsitter van die Barberton Besigheidskamer) en James Nkambule (Sanco) gevoer.

Die program is reeds Sondagaand om 18:30 op SABC 2 uitgesaai. Barberton-inwoners kon egter weens ‘n kragonderbreking nie daarna kyk nie.