Creating awareness for orphanages
Providing warmth, love and protection is what Northmead-based orphanages House Thandi and House Charis want to give to children who have been abandoned owing to different circumstances.
House Thandi and House Charis hosted a breakfast buffet on February 23, at a conference centre on High Road.
The purpose of the breakfast was to make businesses and the community aware of the work that these orphanages do and how one can benefit by getting involved.
The two houses serve the community as satellite homes for infants abandoned by their parents and children who are removed from their parents’ care because of abuse.
These homes are managed by the Charisma Kerk in Northmead and they fall under the uMephi Child and Youth Care Centres.
House Thandi was founded in 2004. The house caters for children aged between one month and three years of age.
House Charis was founded in 2001 and caters for children aged between three and 18 years.
Belinda Anderson, social worker at House Thandi said 12 babies are abandoned every day in hospitals, 65 per cent of them being newborn babies.
“We find some of these babies in plastic bags, bins and shoeboxes,” said Anderson.
“In these homes we provide safety, warm beds, clothes and specialised care, as some of these babies are exposed to HIV and other diseases.
Anderson said they want to give every child in these homes a better future.
“We had some success stories where some of the children have been adopted and some have been reunited with their parents,” she said.
“We urge businesses and the community to take part in creating these stories.”
uMephi Child and Youth Care Centres programmes manager Lize Swart explained how the businesses and community members can help in making a difference in these homes.
Swart explained that the homes are registered as Public Benefit Organisations, which allows sponsors and donors to apply for a rebate on their tax assessments.
“You can help these homes by volunteering your time, groceries, stationery, toiletries, cooking pots and lawn mowers,” said Swart.
“You can even commit one weekend a month by taking the children on a trip, as this would help give the house mothers some time off.”
The church is appealing to the community and businesses to donate whatever they can to keep these orphanages running.
To lend a helping hand or for more information, contact the church on 011 849 7824.
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