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
Contact information:Yogin DevanMeropa CommunicationsTel: 083 326 3962 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.