Who is TLC and what do we do?
The Love of Christ Ministries was established in 1993, in a bid by the Jarvis family to rescue society’s tiniest victims from a fate no one deserves. Since then, our family-run ministry has developed into a sustainable home that ensures that every vulnerable child that passes through our doors grows up in a loving and responsible family, either through fostering or adoption. In our two decades of operation, we have changed the destinies of more than 800 babies, with many more beautiful transformations still to witness.
What makes TLC unique?
Every baby who arrives at TLC is welcomed into our family with love. We know that, even though they may have been abandoned or born into a difficult situation, these little people deserve the same benefits and care as any other child. We develop an individual and holistic growth plan for each family member that moves through, or comes to stay in our home.
Our home
Our ministry is always a bustling site of activity, with lots to get done every single day. The first place that comes to mind when thinking of TLC is, undoubtedly, the nursery. This special building is made up of the Nest (home to our new born to four month old babies), Fledgelings (between four and six month old babies), Grubs (our six month to one year olds), Creepy Crawlies (one to two years old) and finally the Lion Cubs (two to four years old).
We do our very best to have these mini residents reunited with their own families, as this is always the best outcome for the children and their families. Of course, this isn’t always possible, and when this is the case TLC works to have these precious children adopted locally or internationally. If this is still not possible, the children then become part of TLC’s own forever family – a pretty respectably-sized family now!
Thea’s Mainhouse, on the farm in Eikenhof Johannesburg, is the where the first of TLC’s adopted children live, with Thea having adopted her first child in 1993. She has 19 adopted children now, and all the members of her family, adopted or otherwise, have grown up in a loving and nurturing family home.
Pippa’s Mainhouse is right next door, and Pippa has also adopted and loved 15 remarkable children who have come to her from the nursery.
The Jones’ Family live a little further away and this is where you will find Joanna and her beautiful children, all of whom will always be valued members of the TLC family.
It might be hard to believe, but over the years, we have actually had more volunteers pass through our doors than vulnerable children. When these amazing and hardworking people visit us, from locations littered across globe, they stay in one of our three Volunteer Cottages, and are with us for between three months and a year.
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Remembering our angels
Sadly, some of the babies who come to TLC for help arrive very ill. We fight to keep them well, but sometimes these fragile little humans are too weak to carry on. When this happens, they are remembered with love and dignity and given a special memorial service in our Garden or Remembrance.
How is TLC run?
TLC is headed by founder, Thea Jarvis, and Managing Director, Pippa Jarvis. They are supported by the Director of Operations and Finance, Vivienne Gruneberg.
Pippa, our MD, is expertly backed up by the following departments: Children’s Home Manager, Joanna Jones; Communications Manager, Faith Abrahams; Farm Manager, Rhys Jarvis; Facilities Manager, Lionel Abrahams and Admin and Housekeeping Manager, Jade Freedman.
This dedicated team, assisted by a host of loyal and committed caregivers, work tirelessly to keep TLC running, even through tough times.