Associations

As Home from Home has grown, and plans to grow into new areas within South Africa, it is vital that we form associations with community and faith based organisations who already have a presence in their local communities, and who have recognised the need for small supported and supervised foster homes.  To this end, Home from Home has made associate agreements with a number of Anglican churches in different areas, the Vineyard Church in Stellenbosch and several other community based organisations.  In each case the association is unique, depending on many factors, and a Memorandum of Understanding is entered into between Home from Home and the Community Partner.  There is no doubt that these associations are vital for the well-being of the long-term success of the homes, as well as the expansion of Home from Home in the future.

Goodwood – St Alban’s Church:  Home from Home  and St Alban’s formed an association to establish a Home from Home in their currently unused Rectory. Audrey and her six children live here and are supervised and supported both by the church community and Home from Home.

Sibongile: One of the first associations that Home from Home entered into is with a small community based organisation called Sibongile. Sibongile was started, and is run by, Nomasango Xabanisa who looks after 12 profoundly disabled children, who have also been orphaned, abandoned or neglected. When Nomasango contacted us, they were all living in very cramped conditions in a shipping container without running water or sanitation. Home from Home pays towards the upkeep of the organisation every month, by providing  towards the carers salaries..We have also just completed a new home designed with the special needs of these children in mind, and the children are now living in much more spacious and comfortable surroundings We believe that the work that Nomasango and her carers are doing looking after the forgotten disabled children in our country is absolutely vital and we are delighted to be able to support them in this way.

Kayamandi, Stellenbosh – Vineyard Church: Two homes have been created from a building owned by the Vineyard Church and opened in September 2008. Two house mothers will care for a total of 12 children and will be supervised and supported by members of the Vineyard Church, the Kayamandi community and Home from Home.

Hawston – St Andrew’s Church: St Andrew’s Church have been running the Overburg Care Centre for the care of patients with HIV/Aids.  A problem which has been encountered here is how to care for the children of patients who are admitted. Home from Home is currently building a Home on the grounds of the church, next door to the Care Centre, to meet this need, as well as providing longer term placements for children who need foster care.

Vrygrond, Southern Peninsula: Home from Home is working with the Vrygrond Community Development Trust to establish two homes in this exciting and challenging community. There is a a great need for emergency places of safety and foster care in this area of the Cape Peninsula. Construction on these homes will start before the end of the year.