Newsletter - June 2007

LOOKING BACK
It is with hearts full of gratitude that we look back over the years 2005/2006 as Ikhayalethemba Village has grown and developed beyond our wildest expectations! Regarding the quality of the service and help we are able to supply, as well as the physical comforts, surroundings and infrastructure - we are so proud of all that has been achieved over the past 2 years.

All of this, however, would not have happened without the contributions of all our special partners, our donors as well as the untiring and ongoing efforts and vision of our Directors, Mama Lumka and Chris and also of course, our Board of Trustees and other staff.

These people work together on a daily basis handling all the day-to-day problems and challenges that come their way. We have indeed come a long way from the crèche started by Mama Lumka in 1996 when she began taking care of disabled and other vulnerable children at her home in Nomzamo.

The 6th House, the training centre, has started functioning as a church on Sundays with Rev Peter Makapela from CESA conducting services there on a regular basis. These are becoming popular amongst the locals and are also attended by the children. Peter uses one of the rooms in the centre as an office on a part time basis during the week, which is proving to be a great bonus for all at Ikhayalethemba Village. We are planning to start needlework classes for women from the community soon and are grateful towards Mrs Margot Plunkett and other ladies who have volunteered to become involved. The idea is for locals and staff members to acquire different skills that will allow them to start generating funds for themselves and for the Sanctuary. Wellington Lumka’s garden and also his poultry farming (chickens and ducks) are thriving and we have already reached some self-sufficiency in that area.

THE VILLAGE
There are at present 6 houses at the Sanctuary of which 3 are being fully utilized and filled to capacity with children, housemothers and carers. The 4th house will be occupied very soon as we are just waiting for the consolidation of funds to be quite certain that we are able to afford the running costs. As it is, the other homes presently house more than the prescribed no of children.

The office, with Mama Lumka and Bongiwe, has become very streamlined and is a warm and welcome venue to receive our visitors from all over the world. We were able to welcome quite a few visitors from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, England and, our own country during this past year.

OUR CHILDREN
We are very sad at the passing away of little Aseza, 18 months old, who was suffering from AIDS and was in and out of hospital for quite some time. Her death saddened our little community and served to remind us of our mission. The other children, however, are doing very well and have become a close-knit little family helping and caring for each other and learning healthy family values. We are so grateful towards the housemothers and carers and of course to Mama Lumka and Bongiwe, on whose shoulders the brunt of all the efforts fall.

We currently have 19 children in our care that will shortly increase to 24 so we are hoping that our move into the 4th house will be able to take place soon.

WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND GIFTS
The partnership between so many donors and helpers and ourselves has grown to the extent that these people have become our friends and no words can express how grateful we are for their contributions towards the Sanctuary as well as the well-being and quality of life of all of the children being housed there.

People who visit the Sanctuary always remark on the bright and cheerful surroundings in the children’s quarters. Kind donors who supplied colorful curtains, bedding and linen made all of this possible.

Apart from the funds donated, which make the running of the Sanctuary possible, we have been receiving all kinds of commodities, such as food, clothing, furniture, curtains, toys etc. We are unable to mention all these kind folk by name but will try and acknowledge them in some way, as we truly cannot exist without them.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and may God bless you.

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