On 7 May 2013, Focus on iThemba celebrated the re-opening of Joseph House, one of the family hubs where orphaned children are given a second chance in a real family. The Pavilion Shopping Centre donated R750 000 towards the renovations of the home.
In the photo: jumping for joy at the official opening of Joseph House
Joseph House was run down and in great need of attention, including the need for an additional bathroom and bedroom to adequately cope with the requirements of the five children in the home.
The refurbishments included new ceilings, toilets, baths and showers, cupboards in all the rooms, including the kitchen, tiled floors throughout the home, curtaining, painted walls and new beds.
“I wish you could have seen the joy on the faces of the family when they moved into their new home,” said Nadine Wright, Donor Manager at Focus on iThemba. “We are all exceedingly grateful for the kindness of the Pavilion in enabling us to provide such a beautiful home for these special children and their parents. We sincerely believe that through their wonderful foresight and generosity, the Pavilion has helped Focus on iThemba to provide a comfortable, safe and loving home with the potential to develop great leaders for the future of our country.”
“Each of the Focus on iThemba homes is headed by a married couple who nurture up to six orphaned children. Each home recreates its own family, allowing the children to enjoy the role models of both a mother and father,” Nadine continued.
Anton Dekker, General Manager of The Pavilion commented, “These are simple practices that make a significant difference to the lives of others and are mutually beneficial to both The Pavilion team and the communities that we serve. I am humbled to be a part of this.”
Focus on iThemba is based between the impoverished Valley of 1 000 Hills and the more affluent suburb of Hillcrest in KZN. The organisation is involved in the fight against high risk behaviour, including gangsterism, crime, teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcohol abuse and gambling. These factors directly reinforce the cycle of poverty, unemployment and hopelessness in the community.
The charity looks after 21 children in foster care and 61 children in the school, as well as many more in the neighbouring areas through its outreach projects and community workshops.