Ethandweni White Water Sai Children's Home
Overview Background Our Home Our Children Our History Support Us Contact Us

Background
More than 70% of the local population live below the poverty line as the UN defines it. People are mainly involved in small-scale farming, often with women as the head of household. Many men are away working in Bulawayo, South Africa or Botswana.

Recurring drought conditions since 1991 have badly affected the district.

With more than 1 million orphans in the country and about 25% of the population HIV positive, Zimbabwe has been hit hard by the Aids pandemic. Mainly sexually transmitted, this particularly affects the active workforce. The country therefore faces imminent social disaster, and losing much of the development that has been achieved.

At present, the health system and the Social Welfare Department have much difficulties coping with the situation. Extended family systems have already been weakened by drought and poverty.

Recognising that homes like Ethandweni can’t meet all these needs, we support activities which help strengthen existing social networks, such as education to help people help themselves and orphans in their villages.

We co-ordinate our activities by working closely with the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Health, local leaders, and other organizations working in the area.

ill mother
terminally ill mother on the floor of her hut
this lady died a few days later, and her child is now at the home

Objectives
Our target group are children in desperate situations from the Matopo District, typically having lost both parents and left with no alternative place to go. Our children include both sexes, and range from newborns up to 19 year olds.

The objectives are:

  • to provide permanent care for orphans where no alternative placement is avaible;
     
  • to implement spiritual development as part of a holistic approach of upbringing children, anchored in 5 basic human values: Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Nonviolence;
     
  • to provide appropriate counselling to families who care for orphans, so as to strengthen extended family systems; and
     
  • to raise awareness among local people, so they take on more responsibility for caring for orphans within the village community.

Overview Background Our Home Our Children Our History Support Us Contact Us
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