OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF IKHAYALETHEMBA VILLAGE, NOMZAMO - November/December 2007

HIGHLIGHTS
One of the highlights of this year was a visit to the Sanctuary by one of our donors Lloyd Carney (the Lloyd & Carole Carney Foundation), from Wellesley, USA, who visited us with his family in June. We all had a very special time together and Mama Lumka thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by his daughter, Nikita who is busy with her studies on Women’s Rights and needed information for her assignment. They were impressed by the work being done at Ikhayalethemba Village and also very touched by the huge plight of so many children in our country. We remain extremely grateful to them for the substantial donation that we receive from them on an ongoing basis.

OUR CHILDREN
Our children, of course, are the heartthrob of our Sanctuary. The feelings they evoke, are a mixture of joy, to see them thriving in a safe and warm environment, but also heartache, sharing in the suffering of such small and innocent victims. Little Amvuyele, a tiny little boy of 7–8 months old, is now in stage 3 of having full blown AIDS and is on anti-retroviral treatment. His little face is covered in sores. He was abandoned by his parents - unwanted by his father and likewise, by his mother. As there are quite a few children who are HIV positive, this means that there have to be regular visits to the hospital, which can be quite a drain on the staff as each child has to be accompanied by a staff member. We have been very fortunate in procuring the services of a medical doctor, Dr Marius Wahl and a Dutch nurse, Maria Damstra who volunteer their services to run a clinic at the Sanctuary on a weekly basis. This is making a wonderful difference to the lives of the children and the Carers alike.

Many of the little ones at the Sanctuary are physically disabled Some are also mentally disabled. One little girl, Spenathi, who is 12 years old, is both physically and mentally disabled as a result of severe epileptic fits as a small child. She has been abandoned by her mother and has no other place to go to. These children need constant, special care and attention and take up a lot of the Housemothers’ and Caregivers’ time. They are however, dearly loved and very special to all of us.

We are fortunate in that there are a great number of very sympathetic people who support us in so many ways, supplying clothes, toys, and all sorts of goodies and necessities on a regular basis. These gifts really mean so much to us. They make it possible for us to continue the care and support of these unfortunate children. Fortunately, they have many highlights to look forward to because of all the kind visitors bringing joy, and because special occasions such as birthdays are celebrated with their extended “family” in such a warm and loving manner.

CHICKEN COOPS
Wellington, Mama Lumka’s husband built a chicken coop some months ago. There has since been a regular supply of fresh eggs and also the odd chicken which was slaughtered for food. This however, was quite upsetting to the children. Now, to our great delight the Rotary Club of Gordon’s Bay in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lincoln in Canada, has taken the matter in hand. A container has already been
delivered to the Sanctuary which will be modified into structured chicken coops. This will ensure healthy chickens that will hopefully provide plenty of eggs for use at the Sanctuary and also to sell to the local community. We are very thrilled at the prospect, as all these developments are extremely positive influences in the overall running of the Sanctuary.

PETER MAKAPELA
Peter Makapela is a minister from CESA (Church of England in SA) who currently occupies an office and holds regular Sunday services in our Training Centre. These services are attended by the Sanctuary staff and the children as well as members of the local community. We have been hoping for a greater interest from within the community itself, which has not as yet been realised. We do believe that it is necessary for members of the community in Nomzamo to become more involved as a whole in events Taking place at the Sanctuary. We regard their involvement with the church as a positive step in this direction.

FUNDERS
We cannot even think of continuing our work at the Sanctuary without the help of our donors. They are our partners in this project. With their generosity they succeed in making us feel very humble and also very grateful. Enid Eitner with the help of Margot Plunkett made beautiful quilts, one for each child’s bed. Others have sent jerseys, clothes, nappies, toys and all kinds of necessary commodities. The children are very fortunate in being surrounded by so many gestures of love and care and also experiencing the thrill of having beautiful things around them. This year we have received some wonderful financial support from amongst others: The FNB Big Walk (in conjunction with Rotary Claremont), Ithemba Trust, and of course, Thomas & Steffi Curry with their regular supply of muffins and funding for the Educare Centre.

MAMA
Sad to say, Mama Lumka has had a hard time this year with a shoulder injury, which has resulted in her having to undergo an operation to repair the damage. Nothing however, dampens this lady’s indomitable spirit. We all wish her a complete recovery after the discomfort and pain she has had to suffer.

EXCITEMENT ON FRIDAYS
Fridays have evolved into exciting happenings taking place at the Sanctuary. Firstly, a lady by the name of Pearl, who is currently busy with a literacy program at UNISA, has offered to start teaching literacy at the training center mainly focused on members of the community and staff members at the Sanctuary – a real need for many of the residents in Nomzamo. Genevieve Oscroft, a lovely young Somerset West lady, is doing art classes with the children which they are finding most enjoyable and stimulating. It’s a great joy to see their faces light up when we praise their “art works”! In addition to this we have 4 Dutch volunteers from the Kimon Foundation who are doing wonderful work with our children.

Chris, in conjunction with ladies from Christchurch, Somerset West, has a prayer meeting at the Sanctuary on Friday afternoons where issues concerning the Sanctuary and the children are brought before the Lord in prayer. To date, a number of these prayers have already been answered in amazing ways. One of these issues, namely the use of the extra house as a Safe House for abused children, seems to be developing into an exciting project. Chris met with Ms Ada Buys from the organisation “Patch”. She is very supportive of the whole idea and has offered practical help and advice. He has also consulted with Philippi Trust in connection with counseling and debriefing of the Carers and Housemothers at the Sanctuary and they have offered their assistance in this important matter.

All the above “happenings” are contributing greatly toward the smooth and efficient utilisation of Ikhayalethemba Village (Home of Hope). In so many ways Mama Lumka’s vision for Nceduluntu Sanctuary, is slowly but surely becoming a reality.

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

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