Sue Dyer from SI Woking, pictured above right with Rosemary Bell, one of our executive members, came to talk to the club about SOS Mamelodi House. The SOS Children’s Charity helps children whose lives are at stake as a result of being part of HIV affected families and are sick themselves. The charity sets up educational and social opportunities and the Mamelodi Houses provide homes in a children’s village. Mamelodi House No 1 is supported by SI South Africa with assistance from SI Southern England. A former president of SI Southern England, Sue was keen during her year of office to strengthen the link that existed with SI South Africa and was instrumental in providing help from Southern England.
Mamelodi, a mainly black township, is situated in the high plains 30k north of Pretoria. It is estimated that there are more than 1.2 million HIV Aids orphans in a country with the highest levels of HIV Aids. Children are usually referred to Mamelodi by social workers but sometimes children are left at the gates.
The children’s village comprises 15 houses, each home to 10 -15 children. The project tries to provide as normal a life as possible for the youngsters who are all Aids orphans. It costs £600 to provide each child with everything they need for a year. Their health is top priority, medical facilities are available and every effort is made to keep the children as well as possible.
Running the project is not easy particularly as there have been threats from local people who do not want the sick children in their area. Drug dealers are also a constant threat. Consequently, there is tight security and the village is encircled by high fences.
As well as providing a home, a major aim of the project is to prepare the children for life when they leave the village by giving them self confidence and an education to go into programmes to find employment and be self supporting. Two particular successes were a young man who went into the fashion industry and produces his own high quality clothes under the label Greeedy. He is soon to put on a fashion show in Pretoria. Another young woman found work and is now able to support herself. The project also tries to provide income-generating opportunities for the families of the children to enable them to look after them in their own homes.
Accommodation is basic but the staff are well trained; there is a resident nurse and a doctor is available from the town. The children’s days are well structured and they all attend church on Sunday. It is a very happy family environment despite the privations.
SI Swani is the nearest club to the project and all funds raised by Soroptimists are channelled through the club to ensure that all money raised goes to the children. Their needs are very basic and as well as supporting the upkeep of the house and providing necessities, when possible, funds are allocated to provide more personal items; these have included a towel rail and a toilet seat at the request of the children!
SI Gosport, Fareham and District were delighted to present a cheque for £300 to Sue for Mamelodi House.