Vukukhanye is a non-profit and public benefit (Section 18a) organisation formed in 2001, working in the community of Chesterville, Cato Manor (eThekwini). Thanks to the support of our partners, Vukukhanye has during the past 25 years been able to care for orphans and vulnerable children and contribute towards early childhood and youth development in a number of ways. This has included residential foster care, community-based support of vulnerable families, youth sport, bursaries, community safety, and support of community-based organisaitons such as schools, preschools and NGOs.
Our long history in the community means that Vukukhanye is well positioned to direct resources towards vulnerable children, families and community-based organisations in Chesterville whenever resources or opportunities are available.
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 seek to meet these vital developmental needs.
The children are fed breakfast, lunch and a morning snack daily. Partnership with the local Department of Health ensures that standard immunizations, de-worming and growth monitoring 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: R220/month/child will help the school cover costs such as gas for cooking, maintenance and rental.
Vukukhanye started the Bursary Project in 2008 in to help disadvantaged children from Chesterville schools achieve tertiary qualifications. Long-term school and tertiary bursaries have been provided to 21 children and youth. This is in additon to the children who were cared for at the children's foster home. At the moment, one tertiary bursar is being supported and over the years, 19 students have achieved tertiary qualifications; in fields including Biological Sciences, Marketing Management, commerce, Civil Engineering and Nursing. The bursaries cover fees, uniforms and staitonery.
One of Vukukhanye's first bursars, selected when she was in Grade 12 at Chesterville Secondary School achieved an honours degree in Biological Sciences and is now a qualified pharmacist.
Vukukhanye aims to contribute to social welfare service delivery in the greater Chesterville area of Cato Manor, by identifying and supporting vulnerable children and families. This support is currently dependent on specific funding being available, and support provided includes emergency or periodic assistance with food, infant formula, toiletries household consumables, as well as referral to other organisations. Priority is given to families of children enrolled at the Vukukhanye Educare Centre.
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).
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).
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, school equipment, bathroom upgrades, outings, wheelchairs, community gardens, new windows, painting and decorating of a number of preschools and schools in the area. We also partner with two CBOS who care for the elderly and one which cares for people with disabilities.
