Newsletter - December 2006

WHAT'S NEW
Our Sanctuary is now reaching the stage where it is starting to run like a well-oiled machine, thanks to a great number of role-players under the competent leadership of Mama Lumka and Chris, who both work tirelessly towards reaching the ultimate goal of the Sanctuary.

The 6th house has been converted into a training centre which is now fully equipped with teaching aids. One classroom has 4 industrial sewing machines, an overlocker and cutting tables whilst the other classroom has 20 desks and chairs so that a variety of subjects can be taught.

This centre will be used for in-house training, for the teaching of a variety of skills to the children and adults from the community and as a meeting place. In this way the community will be encouraged to be more involved in our project in the long term.

CHRIS
Chris had us all seriously worried when he was rushed to hospital for heart surgery early in October. Fortunately, he is on the way to complete recovery and is feeling stronger with every day that passes. It’s at times like these that we are very much reminded to truly value one another. So please remember, Chris, you are very special to all of us. Mama Lumka frequently says; “together with Chris, I can do anything!”

DONATIONS
We are still basking in the thrill of a commitment from the Lloyd and Carol Carney Foundation from the USA that provided funds, which contribute substantially towards the long-term sustainability of our project. Soon we will be able to approach the Department of Social Services with the proposal that we register 4 of the existing houses. This will permit us to speed up our registration process as a childcare facility and become eligible for assistance from the Department.

Jennifer King, Director of “Perfume on Tap,” an ex South African, now living in Australia, recently organized a dinner party to raise funds for the Sanctuary. We received a huge amount and Jennifer, after a tearful visit to the Sanctuary, has kindly consented to be our representative in Australia. We remain very grateful to people who are so enthusiastically involved in helping those less fortunate than themselves.

We have been very fortunate during this period to have received large donations from a number of institutions and would like to thank the following: The Mercury Phoenix Foundation, FNB Little Big Walk, Fairheads Development Trust, The Wimpy Charitable Trust, Kingston Grammar School, Marcy Gardenhire, Perfume-on-Tap (Australia), The Woodbridge Charity Trust, The Carl and Emily Fuchs Foundation and the Rotary Club of Gordon’s Bay. There are of course, our regular donors, too many to mention by name, to whom we are extremely grateful. Please remember, you are the heartbeat of the Sanctuary.

We have also received substantial material funding and gifts-in-kind. Bulk food parcels, clothing, bedding, nappies and voluntary maintenance services have all contributed to ease our financial burden. Our sincere thanks go to all involved. We would like to mention Mr Les Fouché of Seaworld who supplies large food parcels to the Sanctuary every month. As Jennifer King said: “The world can be a small place if we all help one another.”

THE CHILDREN.
Unfortunately the HIV/AIDS status of some of our children has now deteriorated to a level where Mama Lumka and her helpers are receiving counseling and treatment training in order to implement ARV treatment prescribed by Tygerberg Hospital. We still have some very sad cases. Little Lizalise, a boy of 6 years, was so badly sodomized that he had to have reconstructive surgery. After having been abandoned once before, he was taken back by his mother, but is now back in the Sanctuary. His CD4 count is currently being monitored to qualify for anti-retroviral treatment.

Little Nontombe, 3 years old, was abandoned by her parents without even being given a name and calls herself Nontombe Lumka. She is now a happy and thriving little girl. In spite of all their sad histories, the children in the Sanctuary are a warm and happy group – very
secure with all the attention and love they receive. Even if we are reaching only a very small percentage of the children in the Western Cape, which now has ±275,000 people who are infected with HIV/AIDS, it means a new life to those who are privileged enough to have been brought to Ikhayalethemba Village (“Place of hope”)! Thank you Mama Lumka, Bongiwe and all the housemothers and carers who work so hard and with so much dedication to look after these little ones.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
May we wish all our wonderful “partners” a happy and blessed Christmas season. Nelson Mandela said: ”We were born to manifest the glory of God within us and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”. May we all let our lights shine in such a way this coming year that positive change will be taking place all around us to the benefit of those less fortunate than we are.

Should you wish to know more about our projects please contact:
CHRIS WILLMOT (Cell: 082 748 6437) MAMA LUMKA (Cell: 082 437 8998)