Compendium of Christian Projects Addressing the Diseases of Poverty
Project/Program name:Country: South Africa
Rehoboth: A Foster-care Village for Babies and Toddlers with HIV/AIDS
Church or denomination: N/A
Project summary: Rehoboth provides a homelike solution with intensive care and treatment (spiritual, emotional, physical and medical) throughout the lives of HIV/AIDS babies and toddlers. The first two babies, Lebo and Londiwe, are in the care of Rehoboth. A limited hospice facility is also envisaged for mothers and babies.
Background/ History: HIV/AIDS is now a pandemic in South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal Province has become the AIDS capital of the world. 4.5 million in South Africa are HIV positive, and estimates suggest that there will be 2.5 million AIDS orphans in 2008.
Many initiatives are being developed. However, due to the enormity of the problem, it seems as if little is being done. Research by the Rehoboth Trust has discovered that hospitals are housing an increasing number of babies and toddlers with AIDS who cannot be placed in foster care, making the hospital ward their home. Nurses do not have the time to give these babies the attention they need and so, many decline rapidly. Dr Bill Hardy of Murchison Hospital (a rural district hospital) and others have expressed their concern that, for this specific group of children, nothing is being done.
Orphanages are not encouraged by the government and cannot meet the intensive care required for these special children. A creative solution was sought to meet the need. The Trust has purchased a 22-acre smallholding at the beginning of January 2002 with the potential to become partially self-supporting. The present buildings will be able to accommodate staff, all volunteers. Further specially designed units according to the “ cluster foster care” concept will be built as finance becomes available.
Goal: To create a comprehensive care and support facility for a group of infected babies and toddlers who cannot be catered for within the community.
Objectives: The objective is to provide love and care for HIV+ babies and toddlers who have been abandoned in the hospitals on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and who cannot be placed in foster care. The number of HIV+ babies being abandoned with no one to care for them is reaching alarming proportions. Instead of the hospital being their home, we will create architect designed home units for four children each with a foster-mother. The unit will also function as a hospice in the last phase of the child's life.
Who does the work? The Rehoboth Trust administers the project as a South African registered charity. The Trust is a ministry of WEC International, an interdenominational faith mission that has provided volunteer personnel. The Trust is administered by five South Africans in addition to Johan Knol, the project director, and Fernando Moura, the WEC South Africa Director.
Main activities: The main activity is to provide a loving and nurturing environment to infants who are HIV positive as well as ensuring their care and support needs are met.
Expected outcomes: N/A
Results: Bill Hardy (medical officer of Murchison Hospital) has written: “Most of these children lie abandoned in hospital wards for months or years – where many of them eventually die! I believe this vision would greatly benefit the children associated with our local community hospitals. Government departments, and local NGO’s who work in this field have also endorsed the project.”
Lessons learned: N/A
Funding and other resources: The following organisations have given their written support and approval: Network Action Group (a network of service providers and government departments), Murchison Hospital, Port Shepstone General Hospital, Child & Family Care Society (the Welfare department), the Commissioner for Child Welfare at the Magistrate's Office, Norwegian Settlers Church (their building committee will assist us in the building projects), CINDI (a network of organisations working for children in distress), and the council of the Hibiscus Coast municipality.
Further reading and other documents: N/A
Contact information:
Johan Knol, Project Director
Rehoboth Trust
PO Box 54321
Port Shepstone
4240 - South Africa
Telephone: +27 (039) 687 7354
E-mail: info@rehoboth.org.za
Web site: www.rehoboth.org.za