Twenty Aids-orphaned Orange Farm children will get a second chance at a normal life, thanks to a R1,5-million donation and the efforts of a group of dynamic women.
According to a statement issued by Soroptimists International of South Africa (SISA) on Thursday, an old farm house in Wheatlands, Doorkuil (south-west of Johannesburg) was currently being renovated to become a transitional home for children affected by Aids.
The women of SISA obtained the global funding in response to government’s plea to NGO’s to help alleviate the plight of affected children.
”Heading this call, SISA Johannesburg Club teamed up with Township Aids Programme (TAP) for the first time in what is hoped to be a lifelong partnership to establish the first of many transit homes.”
The donation was left in a trust by a childless British couple to be donated to the children of South Africa.
The SISA/TAP home, to be called Vutfhamo (a Tsonga word for haven), would not only counsel children who were traumatised by the loss of parents and siblings to HIV/Aids, but also support and counsel them for re-integration to a normal life.
”Vutfhamo aims to strengthen family ties and facilitate adoption opportunities where possible for orphaned children.
”It is seen as an affordable alternative to a large institution, housing between 18 and 20 children under the care of a foster mother,” SISA said. – Sapa