The main purpose of this study was to explore the needs of caregivers of abandoned children in the Waterberg District (Modimolle area), Limpopo Province. The objectives of the study were to investigate caregiving and abandoned children in South Africa through literature study and consultation with experts, to gather empirical data on the needs of caregivers of abandoned children and finally to make recommendations regarding the needs of caregivers of abandoned children to the Department of Health and Social Development for intervention programs in the Waterberg District of the Limpopo Province. The study was guided by a research question which was formulated as follows: What are the needs of caregivers of abandoned children? The qualitative research approach was used since the researcher aimed to explore the personal experience with regard to the needs of caregivers of abandoned children. The findings will be utilized to make practical recommendations for intervention programmes to the Department of Health and Social Development in the Waterberg District. The population for this study composed of caregivers of abandoned children in the Waterberg District, Modimolle area. Semi structured interviews was conducted with (10) caregivers. Data was analysed using the following steps: collecting and recording, managing, reading and memoing, describing, classifying, interpreting and visualizing. Finally conclusions were drawn and recommendations outlined for intervention programs to the Department of Health and Social Development. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted