N, an 11-year-old boy who lived in Tarleton, was found on the streets doing recycling. He lived with his unemployed mother, who was a non-South African citizen. Nelson spent the day without proper food and without taking a break. He ate from dustbins. Nelson was removed from the streets by the Department of Social Services. The community was worried about the life he lived. A case of neglect was opened against the mother, and she was arrested.

After that, N was seen for counselling at the Teddy Bear Foundation as a victim of neglect. He was left unsupervised by his mother. At the centre, it was reported that N did not interact with other children; he easily cried and was alone most of the time. He was not able to make friends because he often got physical with other children. N was seen for five sessions. When he started therapy, he was out of school, very timid and withdrawn. He did not easily connect with the therapist and displayed a lot of anxiety.

A safe environment was created for N to open up and process his feelings about his circumstances in the right way. He shared that he missed his mother dearly now that he had been removed from her. N was angry that his childhood was different from that of other children. He did not understand that his mother needed to take care of him.

At the centre, the child was able to relate to other children. He made friends and was very sociable. His behaviour improved. The mother was sentenced to 1 year’s imprisonment. The child was deported to his country of origin.