WELCOME
Thank you for visiting our website. Vukukhanye is an isiZulu word meaning "arise and shine", and reflects our vision for the development of the vulnerable, poor, under-served and marginalised people of South Africa.
Vukukhanye was birthed in 2001 in response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic in South Africa and the reality experienced in the community of Chesterville (eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal). The pandemic was resulting in more broken families and an increasing number of orphans who needed care at a time when extended families where being stretched beyond their ability to cope. Our history with Chesterville from 1989 and the needs expressed by community leaders and health workers lead to the formation of Vukukhanye, with our initial response being the establishment of a Children's Foster Home. This home provided direct foster and crisis care to 79 orphans or vulnerable children from 2001 to 2024.Vukukhanyes objectives expanded from 2005-2009 to include early childhood development, bursaries, community-based support of the vulnerable and support of community-based organisations wherever possible.
We continue to seek to establish relationships and partnerships with those who identify with our vision and objectives. We would love to hear from you; so please contact us if you have any questions or comments.
OVERVIEW
Vukukhanye is a non-profit and public benefit organisation formed in 2001, operating in the community of Chesterville, Cato Manor (eThekwini). Vukukhanye is concerned with early childhood development and the support of vulnerable children and familiesMAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY VUKUKHANYE...
- The Vukukhanye Educare Centre (est. February 2012) which enrolls 45 children aged 2 to 5 years old. The children are provided two meals and a snack daily.
- A Bursary Project (est 2008) offering long-term renewable school and tertiary bursaries, with 19 graduates to date.
- Support of vulnerable children and families with food, clothing, educational needs and referral to health and welfare services.
- Support for community based organisations, preschool and schools in Chesterville.
- Residential foster care of 79 vulnerable children at the Vukukhanye Children's Foster Home i.e. crisis, short-term and long-term foster care. (Residential care of children at the foster home was discontinued in 2024, since which time Vukukhanye aims to support vulnerable children where they live)
- The 19 bursary graduates, in fields osuch as nursing, engineering, biological sciences, commerce, education, accounting, welding & fabrication, aviation, public management, marketing and supply chain management.
- 'Sport for All' community sport opportunities at two sports grounds in Chesterville
- School, preschool and CBO resource provision in Cato Manor e.g. upgrades, equipment, mobile classrooms/offices, computer room at Chesterville Secondary School, and a new Grade R facilility at Nsimbini Primary School.
- Support of community safety in Chesterville i.e. Street Committees
- Employment opportunities for unemployed youth e.g. Pavilion partnership, Mr Price Jump-Start, Security training and Edu-Trade.
CURENT PROJECTS
VUKUKHANYE EDUCARE CENTRE
The Vukukhanye Educare Centre was established in Chesterville in March 2012. We are very pleased with the consistent quality of care and education which has been provided by the dedicated staff for the last 13 years. Approximately 45 children attend daily, cared for by three teachers, a teacher's assistant and a cook/cleaner. The hours of operation are 7:30am to 3:00pm daily, with the formal programme between 8:00am and 1:00pm.
The children live in the neighbouring community of Chesterville and are largely from poor families, cared for by single parents, extended family or other caregiver. The poverty of caregivers places the children at risk of not receiving sufficient early childhood stimulation and inadequate nutrition. The services offered by the Vukukhanye Educare Centre seeks to meet these vital developmental needs.
In addition to the early childhood development services provided; the children are fed breakfast, lunch and a morning snack daily. Partnership with the local Department of Health ensures that standard immunizations are done on-site during visits from clinic staff. Ongoing training of the staff is a priority, and all staff have received child-care training through Phakamisa, and accredited (NQF Levels 4-5) early childhood development training through NELRU and Caversham.
Help us raise funds by sponsoring a childs monthly fees: R200/month/child will help the school cover costs such as gas for cooking, maintenance and rental.
BURSARIES
VULNERABLE CHILDREN & FAMILIES
A common scenario is that of an aunt or grandmother who takes responsibility for the care of children following the death of the children's mother. This can be overwhelming when the new caregiver is unemployed (or employed only part-time) or is a pensioner already with dependants and now has to shoulder the burden of providing for and raising their sister or daughter's children.
Vukukhanye also seeks to partner with companies and other donors to direct resources to local preschools, schools and community based organisations (such as those caring for the elderly or disabled).
SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATIONS
Some significant imapact has been made over the years. A highlight was being able to facilitate a multi-million rand corporate investment which resulted in a new Grade R facility being built at the Nsimbini Full-Service School in Cato Manor. In this photo the concrete amphitheatre and ground level Grade R wing can be seen. The school previously operated its Grade R service from wooden huts.
Vukukhany was able to provide preschools and CBOs with prefabricated classrooms and direct other corporate support suich as a computer room, scholol equipment, bathroom upgrades, outings, wheelchairs, community gardens, new windows, painting and decorating to a number of preschools and schools in the area. We also partner with two CBOS who care for the elderyl and one whcih cares for people wit disabilities.
