Ingwavuma Orphan Care
Ingwavuma, South Africa
Ingwavuma Orphan Care (IOC) tackles the AIDS epidemic on all fronts.
The project supports 3,000 orphans living in the local community and provides home-based care for 700 patients dying of AIDS with a team of 40 community-based carers. It also runs 20 income-generating projects enabling people who care for orphans and vulnerable children to set up small businesses. It provides psycho-social support for children and carers through support groups. The project also runs "soul buddy" clubs for 400 orphans in schools.
Although it was originally set up and is run by Christians, Ingwavuma does not describe itself as a Christian organisation and spiritual support for those affected by HIV and AIDS was not part of the original strategy. However, the community-based carers recognised a real need for help and training in how to meet the spiritual needs of those dying of AIDS-related illnesses. This is where iThemba stepped in to provide the financial support for this need. iThemba enables Ingwavuma to employ a pastor and two youth pastors to work with the carers, the people they care for and local church leaders. This is helping to bring hope for today, tomorrow and eternity to the people of Ingwavuma.
> South Africa country profile
> More about home-based care
> More about income generation
> More about orphan care
