LEE CURRIE LOOKS AT FOUR CHARITIES WHO HAVE OUR FUTURE LEADERS IN THEIR HANDS – AND WHO NEED OUR HELP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
Finding Forever Homes For Babies
“There are over 3 500 children abandoned in South Africa every year, and as a result places of safety are literally bursting at the seams,” says crisis parent at The Durban North Baby Home, Jo Teunissen. “I think the main reason is because the birth moms feel totally alone and helpless with no support. I feel that if there was more information available on adoption and where to get help if you can’t keep your baby, fewer babies would be abandoned.”
The Durban North Baby Home, a project of The Peace Agency, is a registered place of safety, caring for abandoned or orphaned babies and those given up for adoption – from birth to four years old.
“We nurture each of these babies providing them with the love and care that every child deserves,” says Jo, “though the work we do can be bittersweet. When a child goes to a forever family we are so excited for them but at the same time heart-sore because we’ve said goodbye to a child we’ve loved and cared for often for quite a long time.
“The Peace Agency will be opening a baby home in Umlazi, headed up by our much loved Aunty Eunice who has been with us since we opened our first baby house in uMhlanga,” smiles Jo.
WISH LIST:
• Disposable nappies (birth to toddlers) • Wet Wipes • Vaseline • Cereals (See website for full list).
Literacy Lighting The Way
In any country where there are disadvantaged, impoverished children, even the most basic levels of literacy are often not achievable. Yet it’s known that learning to read within the first few years of schooling is crucial. To address this need, Africa’s Anchor of Hope – a registered non-profit company – was founded by a group of teachers and businesswomen. They’re busy establishing literary centres, libraries and homework centres in various schools in Durban, the newest being Natest Primary School in Phoenix.
“These schools are attended by children from the poorest sections of our community. In many cases they come to school without having been fed which in turn will have diminished their ability to learn,” explains educator Anthea Pampallis.
The Anchor of Hope team are hard at work with their 2020 dream project – establishing a homework centre at Natest School following a successful model at Clayton Primary School in Durban. “Many of our children return to home environments in which there is no supervision or parental control. There’s a dire need for learners in underprivileged schools to receive homework supervision/ extra tuition in a nurturing, protected environment after school as well as safe play areas. They’ll also receive a basic meal,” says Anthea.
WISH LIST:
• Sponsorship and donations • Volunteers to read stories to the children and help with the library and homework centres • Books to sell at their book sales.
FOR MORE INFO
082 466 8323; anthea@ anchorofhope.africa; www. anchorofhope.africa
LIV Village
“Children are tomorrow’s future so the manner in which they are raised will influence who they become,” says Carita McCririe, marketing head of LIV Villages.
UNICEF estimates there may be between three and five million orphans in South Africa and many more vulnerable children – children who may never experience the care and nurturing of a family and with little hope of a bright future. Lungisisa Indlela Villages (LIV) are answering this desperate call. In 2010, partnering with government, business and the church, the first LIV Village was established in Cottonfields, Verulam, the mission being to place these children into a family environment providing holistic care. Today there are 96 homes with 33 house parents and over 170 children in residence.
The premises include pre- school through to high school as well as a library, computer, art, woodwork, culinary and music facilities. A training department offers a welding school, a culinary school, and AET (Basic Education Training for Adults).
Lungisisa Indlela translated means Prepare the Way. “2020 will see more LIV Villages across our land raising future leaders and turning scars into stars by providing a fresh start in a supportive community,” says Carita.
WISH LIST:
• Vehicles are desperately needed • Home makeovers (perhaps suited to corporate team building projects.
FOR MORE INFO
www.liv-village.com; visitors are welcome
Putting Young Children First
“TREE turned 35 in 2019 and we’re still growing bigger and better,” says Ashnee Inderjith, manager, business development.
TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education) is a registered non-profit organisation with a mission to promote quality holistic early childhood development with a special focus on women’s empowerment. “We do this by offering a unique and all-encompassing approach including education and training of ECD (Early Childhood Development) practitioners and through community development.” Ashnee explains, “As an organisation TREE has made a positive and dramatic impact in shaping the future generations of our communities, particularly those that are impoverished and marginalised.
“We are committed to exponentially help more children and families to improve their access to quality early childhood interventions, despite their circumstances. We look forward to 2020 for even more innovative and responsive programmes to continue to transform early childhood development.
We would also like extend a grateful thanks to all those who supported us and continue to stand with us in putting young children first.”
WISH LIST:
• Donations are welcome • Educational toys • Books • Stationery • Desks.
FOR MORE INFO
031 579 4711; pa@tree-ecd. co.za; www.tree-ecd.co.za; connect on Facebook @ECDTREE