Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth
Because of HIV/AIDS South Africa has many thousands of vulnerable children, youth and orphans.
They are further compromised by poverty, the high rate of unemployment, food shortages, violent crime and abuse. This severely affects educational and psycho-social development and the future of our children.
Ikamva Labantu promotes the capacity of children’s caregivers so that they can provide a safe, loving and caring family environment in which the children can develop into contributing adults. We also mobilise communities to create and sustain community safety nets in support of this.
Township schools are overcrowded and face a lack of funding for extracurricular activities. Achievements and pass rates at these schools are considerably lower than schools in more affluent areas. There is a high incidence of alcohol and drug abuse, and violent behaviour amongst school children is increasing in township schools.
Ikamva Labantu is committed to creating loving and nurturing environments through psycho-social support, mentorship, help with homework and life-skills coaching. Partnerships with local youth development programmes provide after-school activities and sports participation.
Through our work, we touch the lives of more than 1,000 children in 300 homes every day.