Mongezi is 14 years old and lives with his brother in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The terrible rates of unemployment in his village where only 27% are economically active has forced his mother to leave to find work in Johannesburg and his father died last year. A year ago, he was in danger of dropping out of school and admits he considered stealing and doing drugs, and that he might have run away to the streets. However after one year at the Phumela day care centre, he's got a brand new uniform enabling him to go back to school. Mongezi feels as if the centre has given him a real home whilst also helping his brother to access a welfare grant so they can stay together as a family. His favorite hobby is soccer and he can't wait for 2010 when South Africa hosts the world cup.
HOPEHIV partner, MCDC was pioneered by successful business woman Melanie Streicher who was spurred by personal tragedy to reach out to the many orphans in her community. Since 2004, MCDC has renovated and opened four orphan day-care centres in different villages each taking up to 100 children. The centres provide daily care for children under six, nutritious meals and drop in homework support for school-going orphans. Counselling and basic medical support is provided as well as team building, games, music & arts activities, library and computer facilities. A centre vegetable garden enables child headed households in particular to learn useful skills. The project also helps orphans to obtain the correct ID, birth and death certificates to be able to access government grants.
HOPEHIV want to support the set up of more orphan day care centres. But we need your help. £15 from you will buy a school uniform set. DONATE NOW.