Khulani shelter: A beacon of hope
"We were all devastated after my husband passed, but through my grief I felt that I wanted to do something positive, something to give back to the community," said founder, Prudence Mwandla.
DURBAN North resident, Prudence Mwandla, has managed to turn her family’s tragedy into a beacon of hope for others. Shortly after the death of her husband, the widowed mother decided to establish, the Khulani Children’s Shelter, which caters to orphaned and abandoned children.
“We were all devastated after my husband passed, but through my grief I felt that I wanted to do something positive, something to give back to the community, and so the Khulani Children’s Shelter was born,” she said.
Since it was launched 15 years ago, the non-profit organisation has grown from strength to strength, said 65-year-old Mwandla.
“We started out as a shelter which catered to the needs of children between the ages of one and 18 years old, but through government and private donations we are now able to provide HIV education as well as skills development training to both the teens in our care and the community,” she said.
At the Fundani Youth Development Centre, the shelter is able to provide HIV and AIDS health and safety tips, home-based care and first aid training.
“We want to educate the youth on HIV prevention as well as how to live a full life if they have become infected. Through the home-based care we teach family and friends how to care for a person who has been infected,” explained Mwandla.
They also teach young teens how to crochet and sew. The home based on Grove Crescent has the capacity for 12 children, but currently has eight in its care.
On Thursday, 16 June at 12pm, the shelter will be hosting its first annual Khulani Children’s Shelter pageant, which will see 15 female finalists vying for the title of Miss Khulani.
The aim of the pageant, said Mwandla, is to raise funds and awareness for the shelter. “The Miss Khulani winner would become our ambassador and we hope that she would be able to facilitate awareness and fundraising on behalf of the shelter,” she said. Entries are still open and cost R100 per person. Entries can be sent to info@khulanishelter.co.za.
Related articles:
Women stitch together plan of hope
Shaping bright futures through fun and play
