Our Club gives back to those who aid others
The carers of Iklohwa Children's Home were recently honoured by local club.
In an effort to honour our communities’ forgotten heroes, non-profit organisation Our Club hosted a special braai day in Northcliff.
Honoured on the day were the carers of Ikholwa Children’s Home. Chairperson of the club Wendy Robertson said there are many people who care for others and, as such, it is important they honour them. “These are the people who sometimes do not get a pat on the back, sympathy or the understanding they need. “
To show these carers the club cares, they put together individual care bags for the 10 permanent staff members of the home. These were full of supplies that ranged from scarves, thermal T-shirts to toothpaste, body lotion and some sweets. Adding to the personal touch was the Ndebele print bags sewn by a club member.
Ulrike Mann, general manager of the home, said they had been around since 2002. Over the years, they have placed over 100 children – who either went back to live with their family, or were adopted. Some have gone to live in the United States, Sweden, Germany and Holland. She explained that their desire is for every child to have a family of their own, whether this be a foster, biological or adoptive family.
They currently have 18 children in their care – from ages two to 21 years. Mann said though court orders dictate a child stay until they are 18, “We are a family, and we look after our children. Until they can stand on their own two feet, we, as much as possible, put them through tertiary, or help them see what they can achieve after high school. Only then when they can stand on their own, do they go out into the world.”
The staff, as Mann put it, often leave their own families to look after the children of the home. This is one of the reasons why she thought it important to do something that recognised what they do. She was grateful to the club for what they did for staff who are technically the parents of the children.
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