James House was established in 1986, initially as a feeding and shelter programme for poor and vulnerable children in Hout Bay, Cape Town. The organisation was named after the first child to be helped.

Today, JH is recognised for its child protection services and care and development programmes,which aim to address the following problem:

Children experience violence and neglect(1), driven by the unacceptably high levels of poverty and unemployment in urbantownships(2) and rural communities. The adverse effects, including trauma, behavioural challenges, hunger and malnutrition, poor academic performance and school dropouts, significantly limit the child’s ability to realise their potential.

Our Vision is for a society where all children can be children, livingfree from violence, neglect and any form of abuse; where all children can be educated and developed to realise their future potential.

Our Mission is to advance the rights and potential of children bydelivering relevant services and programmes in the immediate environment (home, school & community) of the child, and working in solidarity with community groups to drive broader social change.