A village with a vision
LANSERIA – The LIV Village is dedicated to empowering children and providing a loving environment where they are taken care of.
The LIV Village places vulnerable and orphaned children into a family environment where they receive unconditional love and care. They have realised that a child needs to be raised in a home with a mother who loves them, food to eat and a school to educate them.
The LIV Village founders,Tich and Joan Smith, founded the village in 1997, after carrying out volunteer work in the Amaoti Township in KwaZulu-Natal for eight years, helping that community in so many ways. The organisation’s village in KwaZulu-Natal houses 1 000 children, with house-mothers in each home. Events and fundraising coordinator, Ilse Weddell, said she joined the organisation earlier this year after her friend recommend she approach the founders.
“Our main focus is to expand and build a village in Lanseria. The LIV Village in KwaZulu-Natal has various small houses, accommodating 150 mothers and 1 000 children; each mother takes care of six children. The villages have worked well, hence the idea to have one in Joburg too,” said Weddell.
She added that most of the children are from dysfunctional homes, have been orphaned and have endured a number of challenges, such as sexual abuse. Everything they need is at the village in terms of education, psychologists, extra-mural activities and medical facilities.
“Our main mission is to expand our organisation and to receive sponsors and ambassadors who would raise awareness of the LIV Village in Joburg. We will host a fun walk on 9 August to raise funds for our new branch, which will make people aware of what we are trying to achieve. On the day, people can bring along their family and pets,” explained Weddell.
She encouraged people to register before the fun walk takes place by e-mailing her or they can register on the day at a cost of R100 per adult. Children and dogs walk for free and people who pre-register will receive a free LIV bracelet. The bracelets are available all major outlets, to raise funds for the organisation.
Stand a chance to win one of four LIV Village wristbands valued at R20, by answering the following question:
In which area of Johannesburg will the LIV Village be opened?
Email your answer to randburgsun@caxton.co.za
Details: Ilse Weddell, Ilse@liv-village.com, 082 308 6364.
