The Thokomala orphan care model is an alternative to the traditional way of caring for orphans. It detracts from the nature of institutionalisation and introduces the child to a family environment. It teaches children the warmth and caring involved in such practical tasks as household chores and bonding as a family unit. It therefore serves as an effective building block towards positive family and community life, without the stigma usually associated with HIV/AIDS.

Thokomala, which means “warmth” or “care” in Zulu, is about providing a family home for children in such a manner that there is nothing out of the ordinary. There is none of the typical corporate branding on the doors, gates and walls to make the house stand apart from the others in the street. The Thokomala houses are just ordinary homes, each housing six children and a loving foster mother, all living normal lives, just like everyone else in the community. That is how it appears to outsiders. In reality, it is a haven for children who would otherwise have limited options, the most common and heartbreaking of which would be to turn to a life on the streets.

The Thokomala programme consists of three elements: A Community-Family Home- Six orphaned children are given a normal environment in which to live, and are cared for by a foster mother. Foster and Adopted Care (`foster cluster’): Encourages residents to accept orphans and vulnerable or abandoned children into their families. It provides foster care, adoption, crisis care, AIDS care and home-based respite care for a further 25 - 60 orphaned children. Community and Volunteer Supported Programmes: Local government and health care facilities are encouraged to provide their services to children. Volunteers are actively involved in identifying and equipping the homes and sharing their skills in supporting the homes through activities such as fund-raising.

Thokomala in practice Thokomala, in partnership with funders, buys and renovates a home within a needful community. Child Welfare co-ordinates foster care and sees to the placement of children and the house mother in the home. They provide a social worker to monitor the family to ensure the highest level of care is provided and to access government grants for the children. In addition, Thokomala provides for the running costs of the homes to ensure that all the household needs are met, thereby making the home as normal and comfortable as possible.