THE iThemba Lethu Children’s Home is continuing to thrive in the community of Manor Gardens with over 150 children having passed through their doors since opening the place of safety in the late 2000s.

Roxie van der Linde, who manages the home, said the first child arrived at the shelter in 2001. “Since then, we have had 115 adoptions and 46 reunifications,” said a proud Van der Linde. The home, which boasts two residential areas and a well-maintained play area, currently houses 11 children with the youngest being one year old and the eldest five years old. The little ones of iThemba Lethu are looked after by 30 members of staff who also give back to the community by conducting educational programmes.

Van der Linde said that out of 30 members of staff, 10 work directly with the place of safety and children. There are four for each house and two assisting with maintenance and gardening while the rest are office and community staff. “Our two transitional homes can care for up to 12 children. When a child comes to us, they get a full medical, and the doctor advises if they need further tests. The process is repeated when the child is about to leave us so that we know we are giving the parents a child that is in good health,” said Van der Linde.

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Some leave the home through reunification with their families while others are adopted by their new parents. “Every case we have is different, and we have to do what is best for the child, whether it’s for them to go back to their families or be adopted,” said Van der Linde.

The home also incorporates a breast-milk bank which has been receiving support from the community and donors with 413 litres collected recently. It was among the first in South Africa and they have helped other non-profit organisations (NPOs) and hospitals to set up breast-milk banks around the country. “It is a great initiative, and we are grateful for the support. We are linked to and work with other NPOs in the Durban area who have also benefited from the breast-milk donations. We recently used 403 litres to feed the babies of iThemba Lethu,” said Van der Linde.

Apart from offering a place of safety to vulnerable children, the home runs community programmes and visits neighbouring schools in Mayville, Cato Manor and Chesterville to assist their learners with literacy and life skills through their Destiny Programme. “We work with 2 500 children each year to break the cycle of risky behaviours by instituting hope and self-worth in our youth. We equip our children with literacy skills to engage with opportunities that will prepare them for work and life,” said Van der Linde. As the home prepares to send off another of their little ones to their forever home, Van der Linde said the joy they receive by helping the children makes the work that they do in the community worth it.

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