After a long day at school, Isaac Kabini makes his way to St. Joseph’s, a place that he feels offers love and help to all in the community of Onverwacht, South Africa. Isaac is only 16, but having just completed Grade 9, he is making big plans for his life. He wants to be a doctor so that he can contribute to the community in the same way that St. Joseph’s has contributed to his life, by providing a safe haven for people who are in need and acting as a source of guidance for children and adults alike. Isaac is involved in a number of activities at St. Joseph’s, and his favourite thing is playing soccer with the other children – he is excited about the 2010 FIFA World Cup coming to South Africa and hopes to one day meet the Bafana Bafana team.

There is a certain pride in Isaac’s eyes as he speaks of his time at St. Joseph’s – it is clear that he takes his work there seriously and is immensely proud to be involved in many different activities. About 90 children make use of the different facilities provided at St. Joseph’s, ranging from an aftercare centre that children can visit after school, support and counselling sessions for groups and individuals, sporting activities – including the newly built jungle gym – and a choir. Most of the children who use these facilities have traumatic family histories, experiencing things that children should never have to experience, and find refuge within the protected and loving walls of St. Joseph’s.

And it is not only dreams that are being nurtured on the premises – one of the most important activities at St. Joseph’s is the communal vegetable garden, which was started with funding from the Golder Trust for Orphans. Started in 2008, a total of 7 foster parents work in the garden on a daily basis, growing vegetables for personal use, for sale at the local market and to facilitate a number of feeding schemes that are run by St. Joseph’s. Over 80 families have benefited from the vegetable garden – children who belong to the feeding schemes are given vegetables to take home to their families once a month, and these same children are even allocated small vegetable beds for themselves so that they can learn how to grow vegetables and help support their own families. The vegetable garden was initially developed to ensure the sound health and nutrition of the children, but has since grown into an income generating activity as well. Plans are underway to increase the size of the garden considerably so that more families will have access to the land. Investigations are being made on how to improve irrigation and also how to gain access to a tractor that will aid the preparation of the vegetable fields.

The work done at St. Joseph’s has had a major impact on the surrounding community – not only do people recognise the vital role they play in assisting orphans, but the effects have been felt for
all children. There have been huge improvements in welfare and nutrition, and there is an ever growing sense of camaraderie – people recognise the importance of standing together to work through their problems and with the services provided by St. Jospeh’s, children like Isaac finally have the chance to pursue their dreams and, in turn, make even greater contributions to their community.

For more information, visit www.sizanani.org