The Thokomala CUNINA Community Homes were officially opened by Sophie Vangheel, Founder and President of Belgian NGO, CUNINA, which provided funding to the tune of approximately R4.5m for building the new houses, another R300,000 to furnish them and will pay operational costs until November 2011.

The keynote speaker, Chief Director of HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Fikile Ndlovu, said: “It takes a community to raise a child. Even when government has given its full commitment to addressing the needs of areas ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, such initiatives demand support from the private sector, as well as the communities themselves.”
“I hope the Thokomala CUNINA project will enjoy the same success as other Thokomala initiatives set up around the country,” said Dr Ndlovu.

The Thokomala CUNINA Homes are Thokomala’s biggest orphan care project to date. Attendance by several other high-ranking officials marked the significance of the development for the rural community of iSiphezi, where the homes are located. While the outward appearance of the CUNINA Orphan Care Community Homes may be ordinary, this is no common orphanage. This kind of set up is Thokomala’s unique model for providing wholesome, warm and homely care for orphans affected by the HIV/Aids scourge.

Thokomala, which means “warmth” or “care” in Zulu, is about providing a family home for children in such a manner that there is nothing out of the ordinary. There is none of the typical corporate branding on doors, gates and walls to make the house stand apart from the others in the street. Antje Hockly, Manager of the THOKOMALA Orphan Care Organisation, said the provision of care for orphans in a warm and loving family environment made a world of difference in their development.

“Thokomala is based on the simple yet effective model of community-based child care. Thokomala’s approach is holistic in that we not only provide shelter, food and care but also the love and nurturing of a normal family environment essential to raise children so they become healthy and emotionally sound adults,” she said. At the Thokomala CUNINA home, there is a play ground and a vegetable garden, which in time will benefit the entire community. An additional house contains an office for the social worker and volunteer accommodation.

The need for shelter and care in northern KZN is massive. With the province having had the highest HIV prevalence for many years (close to 40%) it automatically has a very high number of orphaned children (almost 230 000 or roughly 30% of all children living in KZN) and child headed households. Belgian funder CUNINA has supported children from low income households by offering funding towards school fees/uniforms and providing monthly food parcels since 2005. Says Hockly, “Over the years CUNINA noticed an increasing number of children becoming orphaned and decided to build homes for them. However, because CUNINA has no permanent staff in South Africa they were unable to operate the project themselves and asked Thokomala to take over.” Placement of orphans in their community of origin ensures that they do not lose touch with their roots and the support systems familiar to them.

Including the CUNINA homes, Thokomala will now be operating 20 homes, directly caring for 120 children. A further 2-3000 children benefit indirectly through Thokomala’s outreach programmes. Eleven homes are located in KwaZulu Natal, five in Gauteng, two in the Eastern Cape and one home each in the Free State and the Western Cape.

Since the inception of Thokomala as a Unilever South Africa CSI initiative in 2002, the company has contributed close to R7 million towards this project. . Since Thokomala’s registration as an independent section-21 company, most funding has been received from mostly European trusts and foundations however, Thokomala, as all NGOs is reliant on donations to keep going and is continuously exploring funding partnerships with local and international companies. Says Hockly, “The HIV/AIDS pandemic is not only a health matter but also a socio-economic matter which calls for all businesses to take action. It takes more than one company to make a difference in combating the HIV/AIDS scourge that is ravaging this beautiful country.” For more information, visit www.thokomala.org.za

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I checked out their website and was very impressed – it looks very professional and looks like it goes to a worthy cause:

The ‘Give Me a Chance’ Children’s foundation was started in October 2004 by Delarey and Sandie Brugman of Alluvia Specialist Winery and Guest House in an effort to make a tangible contribution to the future of a community. A community that can hopefully in years to come look back at this project as the turning point in their lives.

Ten learners from Kylemore Secondary were selected based on their academic and sporting abilities as well as attitude. According to principal De Vries, there has been an incredible transformation in these young beneficiaries and he applauded the learners for making the most of this incredible opportunity. The ‘Give Me a Chance’ Foundation works to help these children realise their dreams by raising funds for scholarship programmes as well as establishing a network of strong role models to mentor these children. Every cent received goes directly towards the children’s school and hostel fees, school clothing, books and sport equipment. Not only do the learners receive the necessary support to achieve on academic and sport levels, but they also have the chance to fulfill previously unreachable dreams.

“Research has shown that the development of a child from underprivileged status into a commercially active individual results in the betterment of at least 12 other people from his or her community,” says Brugman, who strongly believes that the future of any country depends on the holistic education of its youth. “People do not exist in isolation from their communities, which is why we decided to support the Kylemore community in the Banhoek Valley where we live. Although Kylemore has some of the poorest communities in our country, it is also home to a talented group of learners who dare to dream and are willing to work hard at achieving their goals”.

The trust hosts an annual charity fundraising event at Alluvia Specialist Winery and Guest House in aid of the children. In addition to this, Alluvia recently launched a limited edition 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon under the ‘Give Me a Chance’ label to provide a further financial boost for the trust. All proceeds generated by the sale of this incredible vintage will be donated to the Foundation.

The 2005 ‘Give Me a Chance’ Cabernet Sauvignon is available from Alluvia’s Wine Tasting facility. For more information visit www.alluvia.co.za

This therapy, with some very positive preliminary global medical research for neurological disorders has also been widely recognized by the medical fraternity as delivering anecdotal benefits to many of the neurologically disabled children.  The therapy is administered in partnership with a pediatrician and general practitioner.

An amount of R200, 000 will settle the finance fees and enable the medium pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be administered at a fraction of the cost to all children in the centre, some who are unable to afford the therapy at the moment. Purchasing of another unit will enable all children to be treated.

If you have a corporate social investment programme and want to make any donations towards this worthy cause, please note that a tax invoice will be issued for any donations made.

For further info/interest please contact :

Victory Kids: Janine Thetard on (c) 083 289 0023

victorykids@discoverymail.co.za

Or

Hyperbaric Chamber Operator: Emse du Plessis on (c) 0836090222

Your support will be truly appreciated

The centre is now a registered PBO (Public Benefit Organization No: 9320028541) and Non Profit Organization (NPO no 065595), which is widely recognized within the community of the Eastern Cape.

The website will be used to highlight some of the activities that the home is involved in and to help it raise its profile to attract new sponsors and supporters.

“Businesses today take it for granted that they have a web presence of some kind but for places like St Laurence it is not necessarily something they can afford or maintain,” says Marc Ashton of Rival.

For this reason Rival has come on board to assist them in developing their online presence. It also provides the home with another way to interact with stakeholders.

To find out more about St Laurence please visit their site at www.stlaurencehaven.org.za.

“The home’s sustainability and infrastructure makes it one of the best run orphanages in the city with many of their kids living way past their ‘medically expected lifespan’ due to the phenomenal devotion of all who work there,” says Greg Epps, Country Manager of Qatar Airways South Africa.

“That is why we decided to do something different and ensure that the kids had a normal Saturday out in Johannesburg.” Earlier this month, Qatar Airways filled a bus, supplied by the crew transfer company, with their staff and departed for Nazareth House where they picked up the kids and staff after a quick tour of the facility. The group headed for Fourways Mall for some Saturday morning shopping where each child was tasked with picking their own outfit, much to their delight of being able to exact a certain degree of independence.

“It was a real treat to feel the energy in that store, with so many happy and excited faces picking out their outfits for the summer season,” says Epps. With the shopping trip done, it was time to take the kids off to the Montecasino Bird Gardens where they were treated to a hearty lunch and some face painting. At the Bird Gardens the children were educated about conservation during an exotic bird show, where they were close to many famous birds including a Giant Eagle Owl, the world’s largest breed of owl swooping over them during the show and an environmentally conscious crow that picks up cans and throws them away.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed this show and thereafter roamed through the many exhibits at the gardens including a walk through the large aviary. Birds were not the only attractions on display, the kids also got a chance to see many reptiles and mammals such a Pythons, Ring-Tailed Lemurs and a very peculiar looking Sloth, which many of the children had never seen before! “One of the greatest things about today must have been the community of purpose that the entire Qatar Airways team experienced.

It is humbling to know that even for one day, we made the children of Nazareth House feel happy and loved and we’d like to thank the Qatar embassy who also assisted us in making this day possible,” concludes Epps.

For more information on Qatar Airways, visit www.qatarairways.com