Cotlands
Charity in Johannesburg

Founded in 1936, orphaned and terminally ill children from birth to twelve years of age, HIV-positive, abandoned, and over the years has evolved into an organisation offering shelter for abused, Cotlands was originally created as a care centre for unwed mothers and their infants, as well as community based services to vulnerable children in five provinces of South Africa.

Cotlands is a non-profit early childhood development organisation addressing the education and social crisis by establishing early learning playgroups and toy libraries in under-resourced communities to serve vulnerable children aged birth to six. Founded in 1936, Cotlands was originally created as a sanctuary for abandoned babies. It all started one night when a baby was left on the doorstep of Matron Dorothy Reece's home in Mayfair, Johannesburg. She decided to take the infant in and care for it and so, Cotlands was born out of this single act of kindness. Cotlands provides children with effective, high impact health, psychosocial and early learning play based development opportunities to help them thrive. Today, Cotlands is a national non-profit organisation providing early learning playgroups, toy libraries, nutrition, health, psychosocial and residential child care in five provinces. Our brand and services continue to evolve to remain relevant to the communities we serve. Every financial contribution and service offering to our organisation makes it possible for us to continue providing for the vulnerable children in our country. With the assistance from our corporate donors, trusts, foundations, government, community groups and individuals, we are able to build a strong foundation of support for those who need it most. Matron Reece starts Cotlands after having treated children in her own home. The Public Health Department requests Matron Reece to make alterations to the home. Strict vetting procedures are put in place for prospective adoptive parents, due to a nationwide shortage of babies. Matron Reece is awarded the woman of the year award. In collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand, Cotlands offers training in baby-sitting. An appeal is launched in the Southern Courier newspaper for more female volunteers at Cotlands. Another appeal is launched in the Southern Courier newspaper, this time for support of Cotlands fundraising efforts. An appeal is made to the public for the donation of another parrot to Cotlands. First toy library opened in Hlabisa to support children in child-headed homes. All regions adopt the integrated model, thus allowing them to provide an array of quality services including education, health and psychosocial services. First mobile toy library was sponsored by Exxaro to service children in the Pretoria region. Cotlands marked the passing away of former president Nelson Mandela with a tribute and releasing balloons. GOAL 1: Refine the early childhood development programmes, and maximise the electronic monitoring and evaluation system, to improve quality of service delivery and increase accountability to beneficiaries and investors. GOAL 3: Advocate for the importance of early childhood development and promote children’s rights.