During 2022 we successfully applied for funding from Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. Two of our residential homes required extensive renovation and refurbishing, at a cost of just under a million rand (R921 569.64). The two buildings were:
Amaqhawe Care Centre
Fourteen children with life threatening chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or physical disabilities live here. We provide access to appropriate medical treatment to restore their health and dignity. Many of the children are here because of poor adherence to ARV Treatment for HIV infection. We focus on the emotional, spiritual, and medical care of these children. In addition, we encourage parents and extended family members to become partners in the process, by supporting and educating them about their children’s needs. By laying the foundations for positive living, we give children and their families hope for the future.
Khayelisha House
This building is home to twenty teenage girls, between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Since our main focus is family reunification, we work in partnership with the family and extended family to enable the girls to return home as soon as possible. Or, we strive to place them in a family environment if they cannot go back to their own families. During the time they spend with us, we assess the girls and provide programmes designed to strengthen and build capacity. Ultimately, we want to help them cope more effectively with the challenges of life within their family and community.
External and internal renovations
Having met all the application requirements of the Embassy of Japan, renovations began in May 2023. Contractors, Innovative Methology NPC, managed the project, which included external and internal renovations, such as painting, refurbishing, and replacing doors, door frames and windows. Ceilings and flooring were also repaired or replaced in parts of the Amaqhawe House.
The project was completed in September 2023, with the official handover ceremony taking place on Thursday, 23 May 2024. This event was attended by His Excellency Ambassador Shigeru Ushio (Embassy of Japan in the Republic of SA), Counsellor Kubo Tomoko (Embassy of Japan), Ms Muramoto Miyuki (First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan), Thandi Hoboyi (Development Consultant of the Embassy of Japan), Ms Pamela Xuma (District Coordinator, Department of Social Development), Colonel Ximba (Umbilo South African Police Services) and board members and staff of the Durban Child and Youth Care Centre.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of South Africa, Mr USHIO Shigeru for the incredible kindness and support we’ve received from The People of Japan.