Save an orphan care center in South Africa

In thinking about how to write this report, I was struck by a quote from Yugoslavian-born poet, essayist, philosopher and businessman, Dejan Stojanovic: "Dreams are our only geography—our native land." What struck me about this quote is the truth that it conveys, particularly in the South African context. While apartheid kept its crippling grip on black South Africans, the majority of the country's citizens could only possess dreams of a better future. Despite a renewed democracy and some progress, dreams are still one of the few things the majority of South Africans can possess. 

Nowhere else is this truer than at VVOCF. Although Nomusa has worked tirelessly—through individual and collective means—to gain rightful ownership of the unoccupied land that will ensure VVOCF's stability, the governmental bureacracy has been incapable of granting her a deed. This failure continues to render VVOCF's programs surviving, but stagnant. More importantly, it leaves the children, youth and families VVOCF serves—children, youth and families who receive VVOCF's services because of their vulnerable status—even more vulnerable to the issues that plague the ill and the poor. 

As we continue to enable Nomusa to get up each day and confront the constant injusitces, we ask for your patience. Securing this land has not proven easy, and we believe it will remain just as difficult. Still, we are committed to achieving this goal and seeing this project through. 

Thank you for your support and ecnouragement. We will continue to keep you posted on our progress. 

Links:

• VVOCF's Facebook Page

It's been a year since we launched our effort to save an orphan care center in South Africa. With your support, the center is still standing. Yet the move to new, more stable land remains elusive. 

Despite many attempts by Nomusa Buthelezi, Vumundzuku-bya Vana/Our Children’s Future (VVOCF)’s executive director, the government has yet to grant VVOCF permission to legally occupy the new land we identified a year ago. Nevertheless, Nomusa is stronger and more resolute than ever. She and her team of volunteers continue to meet the needs and address the issues of the roughly 50 children/youth who come to the center to receive services on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These services include providing a meal for each child/youth and helping children/youth with their homework and other school assignments. As a result of their efforts, most of the children/youth served by the center are set to pass their current grade in school. 

Just as hopeful, the government has ceased its attempts to force VVOCF from its existing location, at least for the time being. We will continue to support Nomusa and her team and hold fast onto the dream of relocating the center in a more sustainable location. We thank you, as always, for your support and your patience, and we look forward to keeping you informed of our progress in the new year. 

Links:

• VVOCF's Facebook page