Parkhill children’s shelter demolished

PARKHILL NPO, Khulani Children Shelter is raising funds to rebuild the four bedroom home that houses 12 orphaned children and young adults.

The dilapidated structure was demolished recently and the empty plot is now ready for construction.

While the children have been temporarily accommodated with their extended family members, the shelter is appealing to the community to donate building materials to help rebuild the home.

“The shelter was an old wooden house, it was finished, there were holes everywhere. For many years we had tried to fix the house, but more and more holes were appearing. We had inspectors come and check the house and they advised us to demolish the house and rebuild,” said founder and director of the home, Prudence Mondlane. She said the plans for the four bedroom house have been approved and they are ready to start building.

Also read: Park Hill shelter in urgent need of help

“We are looking for any small or big companies or private residents who can help with building materials, including doors for the inside bedrooms, windows and bricks,” she Mondlane.

She began the shelter in 2001 when she saw the need in her community.

“At that time, people were dying from HIV and AIDS and leaving their children orphaned. People were bringing these children to me, saying the mother had died. I decided to start a shelter for children and registered as an NPO,” said Mondlane.

Mondlane said the shelter, which is run on funds from SASSA child grants, offers a permanent home to the children, who attend nearby schools.

The youngest child at the shelter is eight years old and the oldest ward is 20 years old. Julia Amaral who is a board member for the Khulani Children Shelter said there are nine members on the board.

Also read:Women’s Forte visit children’s hospital

“As a board member, I try to promote the shelter and create awareness. It’s been very slow. Last year with Covid-19, it was challenging, but we are starting up again now. We are working on the Facebook page at the moment. A lot of companies were closed and did not have budgets to provide sponsorship – that’s the first place you start cutting costs. Also, we couldn’t go out much and speak to people, we had to do things electronically, including our own board meetings,” she said.

For more information, call 031 563 9450. 

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