Uzwelo Home, specialising in child care, has been aware of the growing need in regard to care for children affected by HIV/AIDs- teenage-headed families, orphans, children caring for sick adults. Uzwelo Home is only able to meet the developmental needs of 48 children within the current Uzwelo Home residential care programme. Community based alternatives offer the potential to service a larger number of children- in their own environment, communities & homes. And so, Uzwelo launched the UZWELO RURAL ORPHAN CARE (UROC) project in conjunction with a number of other stakeholders in December 2007. The project is currently implemented on the properties of Mondi Business Paper, who initially surveyed their properties in the Iswepe area & identified more than 600 orphans in that area alone! This is an alarming fact!

Currently 148 families, including 345 children are being cared for in the UROC project by our 22 Child Care Workers- each of whom are being regularly trained by the Department of Social Development.  The Child Care Workers assist the project in the following ways:

• Children with HIV/Aids- HIV/Aids is a very sensitive issue in our country. People do not want to make their status known. Although we know the percentage of infection is very high, the project has 11 children we assist in receiving ARV’s and we help them with transport to the clinic and supervise when taking medication. Confidentiality is a priority.
• Food Gardens- Child Care Workers teach children to establish food gardens. The project networks with the local office of Department of Agriculture, who train and provide seeds and tools according to availability. 217 Food Gardens have been established so far. Although this does help to teach people to take responsibility and to provide extra food, the garden does not yet provide a balanced enough variety and it will need more attention in the future.
• Sexually Abused Children- There is a high rate of child abuse in the area. The vast open areas are often deserted and children are left alone and vulnerable. Currently we have identified 9 children that have been sexually abused & they receive intensive counseling.
• Girl Child Project- Another Isibindi program is the Girl Child project which offers girls that are intelligent and have enough potential to complete tertiary studies, a bursary to attend a college or university. Our Child Care Workers help to identify candidates for bursaries.
• Safe Parks- Children attend school but are then left alone at home in the afternoons and do not have supervision or assistance to do their homework, which forms an integral part of education. The project has identified three areas which can be utilized as safe parks where children can go after school. At safe parks the kids will be assisted by Child Care Workers with homework and also provided with necessary resources for life skill training and stimulation exercises.
• Disability program- Two of our Child Care Workers were chosen and receive intensive training in Durban on a monthly basis. 45 Disabled children are a part of this project. Two children received Mandela buggies which are specially designed for their needs to improve mobility. Because of culture, disabled children were hidden away, but because of awareness through this project, families are more open & willing to open their doors for us to help the children.
• Food Parcels- Food parcels are delivered monthly to between 80 and 90 children and child-headed families who do not receive grants. Due to financial strains the project is not currently able to provide balanced food parcels as was done in the past- families receive a bag of mealie meal.
• Holiday Programs- During school holidays, Child Care Workers present holiday programs in the village where they are working. Programs include empowerment of children with knowledge on prevention of sexual abuse and abuse, as well as other important life skills. This is done through games, singing, activities & sport.

Your input, time, sponsorships & donations towards this project are invaluable!