THE Rotary Club of Westville has called on the Highway community to lend a helping hand in support of the six children who currently reside at the Vukukhanye children’s foster home in Berea West.
Sue Kilkie, a dedicated Rotarian, described the foster home as a haven of tranquillity and love that provides a safe home environment for the children to grow and thrive in. The foster home forms a part of Vukukhanye, a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation that was formed in 2001.
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Vukukhanye cares for and supports orphans and vulnerable families. The home provides care for abandoned, abused, neglected, orphaned or homeless children, including those affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS.
“It is intended that, whenever possible, the children be reintegrated into their family/community, or placed with adoptive or foster parents.
In some cases, long term placement at the home occurs and 78 children have been cared for at the foster home over the years. Currently six children, between 12 and 18, are living at the home,” said Kilkie.
The Westville Rotary Club has had a long association with the foster home and has undertaken numerous projects in the past 12 years such as painting the exterior walls, refurbishing a shower room, donating computers and games, installing JoJo water tanks and piping, relaying brick paving and assisting with school fees.
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“The Westville Rotary Club is currently finalising a district grant to improve the facilities at the foster home by installing a ceiling fan in a bedroom and the purchase of a chest freezer.
Most facilities in the foster home have been developed and maintained by individual donations and support from the community. The running of the foster home requires frequent and ongoing fundraising as government child care grants are sporadic and corporate sponsorships are difficult to obtain,” said Kilkie.
To make a donation or for a wish list for the foster home, contact the Rotary Club of Westville via email at deseng@mweb.co.za.
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