Diepsloot is an informal settlement situated just north of Johannesburg in South Africa’s Gauteng province, midway between Pretoria and Johannesburg. The community was established in 1993 when “squatters” began to settle on unoccupied land and built shacks in the area. One of the challenges that this area is experiencing is the growing number of children who have been orphaned and/or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDs. We are addressing this need through the development of a community centre, where required interventions are undertaken to provide meaningful care for children who are in this situation, where the approach is community-centred care rather than institutionalization. Much effort has been invested in raising funds from benefactors worldwide to provide the resources required for the capital expenditure of the Leseding Centre for Children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS and poverty. We have secured the site, the building is underway and we are consistently raising the funds required to build the entire Wings of Life Community Centre in Diepsloot. We have a dedicated and committed team who has received training and many interventions are already in place. Now we need to source and provide items that will bring life, love and care, creating a child friendly environment in the Centre.

 

By sponsoring any of these items on our wishlist you will be helping our team to create an environment that provides care and support on all levels for children who do not know the safety of their own homes in Diepsloot. The majority of our team comes from the community, thus they are empowered as they reach out to uplift others. MaAfrika Tikkun was recently awarded the Mail and Guardian “Best Non Government Organisation for 2005” for its Tjhebelo Pele Community Centre Project in Orange Farm.