Where Hope Floats

We envision a future where every child is safe, nurtured, and empowered to reach their full potential.

At Princess Alice Adoption Home, also known as Princess Alice Care Centre, we’ve created a loving and nurturing space for children from birth to three years old. Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Westcliff, we provide a caring home for up to 30 little ones who have been placed in our care through court orders, either due to abandonment or being consented for adoption.
 
Our mission is simple yet profound: to help each child transition into their “forever family” as quickly as possible, giving them the chance to experience a life of love and stability. While they are with us, we ensure that every child’s needs—nutrition, medical care, affection, and early learning—are met with the same warmth and dedication they’d receive in a family home.
 
By protecting, nurturing, and supporting their development during these critical early years, we give every child the foundation they need to thrive in the future.
 
The vital work we do comes with significant financial and resource demands. Every donation directly impacts the safety, health, and well-being of the children in our care. With your support, we can continue to provide the high-quality care, therapeutic services, and developmental opportunities our children deserve.
 
At Princess Alice, we’re committed to giving our children the best possible start in life—round-the-clock care, nutritious meals, medical attention, and emotional support are just the beginning.

A Decade of Impact

babies cared for

hours of round-the-clock care

meals and bottles of milk formula provided

History

Princess Alice was established in 1930 as a facility of Joburg Child Welfare.
 
The Centre was opened by HRH Princess Alice, the Countess of Athlone and a grandchild of Queen Victoria. Princess Alice was President of the Children’s Aid Johannesburg (which has transformed into Johannesburg Child Welfare Society aka  Joburg Child Welfare) from 1924-1931. She was married to Lord Athlone who was a Governor-General of South Africa. They returned to England in 1931.
 
Initial funds for the building of the house were donated by the executors of the late Dr Kerr Muir’s estate. The house is named Kerr Muir House and a plaque in our reception area acknowledges the donation. The land is leased by Joburg Child Welfare from the Trust of the Hope Convalescent Home for Children.
 
Princess Alice was initially opened to serve the surrounding mining community, but our services have evolved into the current form as the community and society at large has changed. Part of our proud history is that we were one of the first homes to serve children of all racial and cultural backgrounds.
 
In 2022, our building received a Blue Plaque from the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, acknowledging our place in the history of the city.

Governance

Princess Alice is a facility of Joburg Child Welfare and operates under that governance banner. We are a registered Non-Profit Organisation (000-566 NPO) and Public Benefits Organisation with Section 18A tax exemption (PBO No. 18/11/13/1110). Section 18A tax receipts can be issued for qualifying donations.
 
Our accounts are audited annually, and we are BEE compliant, supporting at least 75% black and previously disadvantaged communities as per the BEE codes of good practice.
 
Princess Alice Adoption Home is registered with the Department of Social Development as a Child and Youth Care Centre.

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