A Story of Hope from South Africa

Fairy tales really do come true

By Sarah Hodgson

Once upon a time, a little boy had a tragic start in life. He was abandoned when he was just a few days old.  Luckily, he was found and taken to the Castle of Love and Hope. He spent a few months living there, receiving so much love and cuddles. But, this wasn’t his ‘forever home’. It wasn’t where he was destined to spend his life. Then one day, a Princess came along to take him home with her and his new brother. Little Sisanda became Prince Sisanda and we’re sure he’ll live happily ever after with his Royal Family.

This is a true story

Sisanda spent the first few months of his life at the House of Love and Hope (HOLAH). This is a baby home run by South African charity Likhon iThemba. He was recently adopted by a princess from Mpumalanga. However, whilst not every story has such a royal ending, Likhon iThemba advocate for adoption and want the best for all children. All children should have a forever home and the chance to make their own fairy tales come true.

In South Africa, over 2.4 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. There is also a high level of child abandonment. Child Welfare South Africa Subsequently estimated that more than 3,500 babies were abandoned in South Africa in 2010.

Likhon iThemba

Likhon iThemba, was founded by Kim and Leanne in June 2012. Based in Durban, they are passionate about the work they do caring for abandoned or orphaned babies, supporting local crèches as well as struggling families or NPOs.  The HOLAH project provides a safe-haven for babies placed in their care by police or child protection services. A maximum of six babies can be cared for at any one time to ensure that all babies are given the best possible attention. They want to remain small, unlike traditional orphanages, to ensure high levels of care. The whole team are dedicated to finding each child their forever home.

Leanne at Likhon iThemba, says ‘It’s so important to us, that each baby that comes into our care, gets an abundant amount of love, stimulation and the best medical care. They also have a sense of belonging in their early days of life. It’s also important that each child has someone fighting for their future. We are fighting for them to be part of a forever family, and not passed from home to home, and spend their childhood in a children’s home. Every child needs and deserves a family.’

Likhon iThemba is keen to become self-sustainable. And they recognise that there are many worthy projects competing for limited funds within the fundraising sector.

At the end of 2016, Kim and Leanne set out to set up their charity Hop Shop. Subsequently, it turned into an incredibly successful and profitable place. The Hop Shop accepts donations. Whatever can’t be used within HOLAH or other Likhon iThemba projects, will be sold to raise funds. These cover the running costs of their projects.

Shop

Becasue of the high demand they moved the shop to larger premises. The shop is fully covering its costs. Now if is generating enough funds to help with the running costs of the baby home, and babies just like Sisanda. Likhon iThemba work hard to get their local community involved in their work. They encourage business and individual support through various events including volunteering on Mandela Day and their Annual High Tea.

The shop is now making enough profit to also cover all of Likhon iThemba’s costs. And they can now care for 6 babies like Sisanda and support other Likhon iThemba projects.

For more stories like Sisanda’s and HOLAH, you can visit their Facebook Page or their website 

You might like this article about Khulisa – supporting individuals with mental issues