Ingwavuma Orphan Care

Thandi stood out as a leader in the Gwaliweni children's support groups. She was always the first to start up a song and first to get stuck into games and activities. Although she is and orphan and HIV positive, she remained a bright and intelligent child. She was living with her grandmother who was struggling to care for her. One of our nurses took a shine to this bright girl and asked her if she would like to live with her and go to a better school. Thandi and her grandmother both agreed- they knew they would still see eachother in the holidays.
Thandi is thriving in her new home and has made us all proud, scoring over 80% in 2 school subjects and over 70% in another two at Grade 4. She is following Nkosi Johnson's example as a young person who can be a role model to others and live life to the full.

Dudu, is a 13 year old girl with severe cerebral palsy she can respond to sounds but does not talk and cannot sir unaided. One of our Home and Community Based Carers referred her to Onica,our nursing manager. When Onica arrived, she found Dudu sitting in the yard in her own excrement, her skin scaley from neglect. She had been given a bowl of food to share with the chickens who roam the yard. There was no one else at home in the small homestead. The nurse cleaned her up and chatted to her, making her more comfortable.
Nozenzo, our foster care supervisor also visited and gave some advice on how to manage money to the grandmother (who seemed to be the main carer)and helped her to open a bank account for Dudu's care dependency grant.
The next time when Onica arrived, she found the mother at home, hastily dipping Dudu in a bowl of water. "You're only cleaning her because you saw our car coming!", Onica remarked. The mother was aggressive and hostile, but Onica calmed her, empathising with how difficult it must be to have a severely handicapped child. Soon the mother was in tears as Onica's kind words melted her hard exterior. She said she felt angry at having a child like this and in addition, her other daughter of 16 in whom she had put all her hopes was now pregnant. She requested to see our chaplain for further counseling and support.

The community of Ingwavuma marked World Aids Day by coming together. Staff of Orphan Care, school children, members of HIV support groups and other passer-bys marched together from the Orphan Care offices to the town centre where they met up with another 100 children, teachers and community members. The group formed into the shape of an AIDS ribbon around the shopping centre. They lit candles and remembered those who are infected and affected by HIV.

There were then talks and entertainment by various government departments, schools and NGOs. Refreshments were donated by Ingwavuma Spar, Sasko and T-Junction Cash and Carry. We thank all the people and companies who contributed to making the day a success!

On Saturday, the director got a phone call about a family of 5 children whose grandmother had just died. The 5 had already lost both parents, then moved to live with an aunt, who had also died, leaving them with their grandmother who had now died leaving them alone. The oldest, a boy of 14, had visual problems; the next oldest, a girl, had been raped some years ago leaving her HIV positive and now on antiretroviral treatment. The youngest girl also may have been raped while the youngest child has fits.