Inkululeko is a home for infected and affected babies and children (orphaned, abandoned, and abused or HIV+/AIDS). We aim to provide a secure, loving and safe environment for these babies and children. We aim to give each of these babies and children individual attention in as homely a situation as possible. We are registered as a Non-Profit Organisation. In 2002 the Home was registered with the K
wa-Zulu Natal Department of Social Development as a Children's Home. A report and audited statements are submitted to the above Department annually. History of the Project
In 1999, in our contact with the Vryheid Child and Family Welfare Society, it became apparent to us that an increasing number of babies are being abandoned and/or neglected in the Abuqulusi municipal area and the surrounding rural areas. It was a great concern to us. We applied for the registration of the Non-Profit Organisation and it was registered on 18 February 2000 under the name “INKULULEKO”. During 2000 we investigated and the need and also looked at several options on how to effectively house and care for babies. After further investigation and research, we stated in May 2001 to renovate a former pre-school into a home for babies. Volunteers did the renovations over weekends and evenings and after 9 months the work was completed in January 2002. So far babies have been placed in the home from Vryheid, Gluckstadr, Dundee, Newcastle, Nqutu, Eshowe, Empangeni, Hlobane, Coronation, Pongla, Emondlo, Louwsburg, Mooiplaas and Nongoma. If we have space, we will take a child from anywhere. These are the areas in the Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal Region – the highest HIV/AIDS infected areas of South Africa. At the end of 2003, we were registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Population Development in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We are also a registered Public Benefit Organisation. Impact of the Project on our Community
1. Being the only Registered Children`s Home in the surrounding areas. It has been a privilege serving the community.
2. The home has provided opportunities for many different cultures and age groups to work together as a team. We have had numerous local and international volunteers helping with different aspects in the home at different times, (Before Covid).
3. The project has provided HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. We give HIV/AIDS training to our volunteers and ongoing training to our staff.
4. We work closely with the local Government Hospital in assisting with abandoned/orphaned babies. Our children are placed here by Social Workers from CMD, Child Welfare and the Department of Social Development.
5. We take children to the Local Government Clinic and Vryheid Hospital for vaccinations and other ailments. In extreme cases, we will take them to a private doctor that does pro-bono work for us.
6. Employment for our caregivers that take care of our babies/children.
7. Full-time care of orphaned, abandoned, and abused and HIV/AIDS infected/affected babies and children. While the babies/children are with us they receive love and care and regular assessments are performed relating to developmental milestones and emotional needs. Activities carried out
• Education: Each baby has a milestone chart(birth-36months) that indicates the milestones that the baby should be achieving at certain months, these milestones are recorded and if the baby is not achieving the milestones, they (he/she) is referred to the Occupational Therapist from the hospital.
• We have an early childhood development programme that consists of reading, basic gross and fine motor skills, helping to build with Lego/building blocks, shape and colour recognition, ball skills and water play. We currently have 4 children attending Pre-school and 4 more being prepared for Pre-school.
• Therapy: We have a full-time Social Worker that does group and individual therapy sessions with our children and staff.
• Diet: Our menu is overseen by a Dietician. However, due to financial restraints, we are using whatever gets donated on a daily basis.
• Community: Due to Covid we have not had any volunteers assisting us in the home. We would like to re-introduce this as our children need to have contact with people and we could really do with someone on one interaction. (strict Covid Protocols will still be in place).
• We would love people to have playdates with the children, have a party with jumping castles etc, just to show them what a normal life is like for a little while And to have fun. They love playing with balloons. Beneficiaries
• The number of children that benefit from our project is directly related to the children being adopted, fostered and reunited with family. This creates space in the home for more babies/toddlers. Our numbers remain at 21 at any given time, but we aim to find adoptive or foster homes so there is a flow of children coming in and out.
• Our volunteers benefit through HIV/AIDS training, exposure and serving our community.
• Our staff benefit through being employed and receiving ongoing training in order to equip them and increase their individual and team capacity. Areas Targeted
• The areas we receive babies from are Vryheid, Dundee, Newcastle, Nqutu, Empangeni, Eshowe, Hlobane, Coronation, Pongola, Emondlo, Louwsburg, Mooiplaas, Nongoma and Paulpietersburg. Being a Non-Profit organization and a Community Project, we rely on donations for funding. We do receive a monthly allowance per child from the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Social Development. This is a welcome contribution but does not cover our running costs. Components for which Funding is Needed
• Building/Extensions & repairs and maintenance
Presently we have 15 children that need to use the toilet. We currently only have one children`s toilet and want to renovate the current shower into two extra toilets.
• Building material and Labour R55 000
We are currently using the old classroom as a storage area and therefore do not have a play area for the children. The roof needs to be insulated to make the room cool in summer as it is a tin roof.
• Building material and Labour R50 000
We need to replace the children`s fence between the car park and play area
All outside play equipment needs to be sandblasted and resprayed and welded
Need bigger Motorbikes/Bicycles for bigger kids
Need a sand and water table
The existing wooden jungle gym needs to be repaired and made safe for toddlers
Soft play mats and blocks for indoor play and therapy
Spider swing for therapy
A play area for pretend play with utensils hanging up and pots and pans
Sandpit
An area for boys made into car tracks etc to park and play with cars
Small trampoline for toddlers
Small trampoline for kids
Small plastic slides for babies
Repairs and Maintenance
• Paint
• Painting the inside of the house with bright colours for children
• Painting window frames and burglar gates
• Locks and keys
• Door Handles
• Hinges
• Taps
• Curtain Rails
• Toilets
• Tiles
• Insulation
• Screws
• Planks
• Bricks
• Cement
• Welders that can weld thin materials
• Spray painter
• Labourers
• Upgrade our existing washing line to hang more clothing
• A basin in the kitchen as required by Health and Safety Dept
• Bringing plumbing up to compliance level R3500
Leaking taps etc
Bringing electrical up to date R9000
• To refurbish pantry cupboard with more shelves
• Clothing cupboards need extra shelves and hanging rods
• Our Borehole has run dry. It is a possibility that the hole needs to be dug deeper. Approximate cost R50 000. Not confirmed.
• A Jojo tank to store extra water for when municipal water is off.
• One of our double bunk beds need a ladder and extra plank across to prevent accidents from falling children (top bunk)
• Kitchen needs more cupboards/shelves for appliances
Vegetable/Fruit/Herb Garden
Our children eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. We would like to become self-sustainable by growing our own. We would like to stay healthy by consuming different herbs etc and reduce our medical costs.
• Irrigation
• Compost
• Labour
• Professional Advice
• Seedlings
• Trees
• Pots
• Flowers to make the home look beautiful
Furniture
Due to years of wear and tear, we need to replace the following:
• Lounge Suite with lots of space and child-friendly R20 000
• Plastic chairs for older kids to sit on
• Large plastic table
• TV Aerial
• Wall unit that is lockable for children`s DVDs and books.
• Loose, large carpets for lounge and bedrooms as well as nursery
• Large cabinet for toys.
• Chest of drawers for clothes.
• Fans
• Music centre with speakers throughout the house so children can listen to calming music whilst in their bedrooms
• Wall heaters for bedrooms
• Pressure cooker
• Slow cooker
• Large or Industrial Washing machine and Tumble Drier – Speed queen 8kg/9kg
Operational costs
Our greatest ongoing need is the monthly running costs of the home. This includes items such as:
• Wetwipes unscented
• Nappies size 1, 3 and 5
• Nappy sacks
• Waterproofs of good quality
• Material Nappies
• Cotton Wool
• Earbuds
• Gripe water
• Milton
• Freezer bags Large, Medium and small
• Formula Milk Nan Optipro from newborn, Infacare No 1,3. Pediasure/Nido no 3 for growing children.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables – Garlic, ginger, butternut, sweet potato, beetroot, carrots, onions, potatoes, green beans, baby marrow, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, fresh herbs. Bananas, Apples, Pears, Oranges, Naartjies, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, guavas, avocado pears etc. We use anything
• Albany brown bread, Eggs, Cheese (not processed), soft margarine or butter, yoghurt and full cream fresh milk. Fresh juice 100%.
• Fresh meat and fish – any meat is welcome except processed meats and very spicy meat. Boneless fish.
• Cereals – Purity or Nestum from 6mts old, All-bran flakes, Weet-bix, Instant porridge flavoured, and Porridges - oats, maltabella and mealie meal.
• Groceries- non-perishable. Sugar, Oil, jam, Marmite cheese spread, tuna, baked beans in tomato sauce, Pilchards in tomato sauce, Corned meat/bully beef, Knorrox soups, Knorrox soya mince, Knorrox stock cubes and Robertson spices – reduced salt and no preservatives. Tomato Sauce and Mayonnaise. 10kg Rice, macaroni, spaghetti, Samp, Sugar beans. Rajah Mild and spicy curry powder. Any tinned fruit and vegetables as well as Any starches.
• Cake flour, muffin mix, yeast, baking powder, marshmallows, flings baked not fried chips no preservatives. Marie Biscuits, 100% fruit juice and syrup for snack time and parties.
• Toiletries – children`s toothpaste 0-2 yrs and 3-5yrs, Sunlight mild baby soap, Vaseline, Epimax junior, Aqueous cream - all unscented. Savlon for bathing. Mosquito mat refills
• Cleaning materials- Sta-Soft, Handy Andy, Jik, Washing Powder for Automatic washing machine, Domestos, Dish wash liquid, toilet paper, black bags, Red bags for hazardous waste, Goldilocks, steel wool, sponges. Air freshener Glade refill or tins or liquid, disinfectant, liquid hand soap etc
• Medical costs and medicine like Calpol, Panado, Allergex, Smectra, Scopex or Hyospasmol, Tussitot or Rinex, Salex drops for infants and children, Stilpain or Adco-salterpain, Medazine, Tissue salts for flu and congestion, Pectrolyte, Alcophyllex or Prospan Infant, Vitamin C powder, Multi-vitamin liquid or gummies, Plasters for kids, Acitop ointment for fever blisters, Kaostatex liquid for stomachs, plasters for boils, and Empaped suppositories for children.
• Miscellaneous – AA batteries, AAA batteries, Freezer bags, small and large, Crocodile pegs. White liquid vinegar which we use as sta-soft, Strong mop and broom, Chopping board plastic, Kitchen scissors.
• Monthly Pest Control Contract
• Upkeep of Electrical Fence
• Salaries
• Water and Electricity Bill due to the increase and other factors our account doubled (Currently we are R51 000 in arrears)
• Fuel
• Telephone/Wi-Fi
• Stationery for office – printing paper, Canon 445/446 ink and 123 ink, pens, correction tape, calculators, staplers, files, filing sleeves, permanent markers, whiteboard markers
• Educational Costs – monthly school fees, books etc.
• Admin (copies, stationery, etc)
• Insurance
• Bank charges
• Mortgage Bond
• Speech Therapist Costs
• Play Therapy Costs
• Clothing for kids 0-5yrs old summer
• Staff Uniforms – Red Golf shirts – short and long sleeves for adults. The monthly allowance received from the Department of Social Development is not sufficient to cover all these costs. We are currently running at an R19 000 per month loss. Funding for the above-mentioned would be greatly appreciated. Even if you can sponsor one item per month, it will be a huge help. Vehicle – We currently do not have a vehicle to use. Our old vehicle blew its engine and was not in saleable condition. Should God lay it on your heart to sponsor a vehicle. We would love one big enough to take our children on outings with the staff. Such as churches, parks and public places. But any vehicle would be an asset to our home. Management of Inkululeko
Miriam Leveridge is the Project Manager of Inkululeko and Pastor Mark Naicker is the Chairman. Pastor Mark in collaboration with the eldership team for Freedom Life Church is responsible for the funds at Inkululeko. Committee
We have 7 committee members and we meet 4 times a year at Freedom Life Church to discuss: Financial matters and the high`s and low`s of Inkululeko. We trust the above information explains our project and needs. If you have further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
