The children in Soweto were the jubilant recipients of a The donation was courtesy of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Africa (CCIJ) as part of its community outreach and social development on a non-profit basis.
The Orlando Children’s Home is the oldest children’s home in South Africa, having opened its doors back in 1940, but faced the possibility of closure in 1977 when the Child Welfare Society could no longer provide funding.
The Soweto community came together to save the home, with Matron Nkwe leading the mission, bringing in various people to raise funds. In 1990 Nkwe handed over the reins to Marriam Mazibuko, who has served as Director, and along with her team, has run the home efficiently for the past 30 years. Today, the home looks after 60 children and 86 in its crèche.
[also read] – 1700 meals served to the needy
Mazibuko said she was grateful for the relationship shared by the home and the Japanese community.
“We (Orlando Children’s Home) are forever grateful for our fond relationship, “she said.
“Nurturing children with warm care is our responsibility as a society, and we are glad that we have shared the same values with the Japanese community over many years.”
Tsunehiro Makabe, Chairman of CCIJ was also present at the handover and expressed his delight at how Mazibuko and her team have looked after the children. The donation was the latest offering in an over 35-Year-strong bond between the Japanese Community and the Orlando Children’s Home tracing back to the ’80s.
Former Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi has twice visited the Soweto based children’s home.
In 2018, The Japanese government forked out an impressive R4.4 million in the development and construction of a youth development center, and a cottage for senior students at the Orlando Children’s Home.
The state of the art center featured, amongst other things, a solar power system and an indoor creative center where children could play sports and other activities.
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