MISSION – To promote quality in life and support the psychosocial needs of children who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, including those who are vulnerable and orphaned in the community of Refilwe, Cullinan.

VISION – Holistic care for children who are orphans and for the vulnerable ones.

BACKGROUND – Refilwe Orphan Care (061-038-NPO) began in 2008 to alleviate poverty amongst orphans and vulnerable children. Refilwe Orphan Care is a Non-Profit Organization for needy children. There are two hundred (200+) children who benefit from the project, and there are a few more children who have a desire to benefit from the project, but due to a lack of funding, the project is unable to accommodate them all. These children are orphans and vulnerable, some are from child-headed families. The project advocates for the rights of the orphans and the vulnerable.

The project has several activities in practice, including the following: cooking, washing and ironing of school uniforms; assisting with school work; engaging children in recreational activities; and painting for the younger ones. The main aim is to assist the orphans and the vulnerable children to fit in with other children at school and outside school by uplifting their standard of living through the provision of basic needs such as food and clothing.

Children are the most vulnerable group in our communities. The main purpose of this project is to make sure that children are protected, loved and cared for regardless of their circumstances. The project further concentrates on motivating and shaping the children to rise above their circumstances. This purpose can be realised by the following:

To provide nutrition, support and care for orphans & vulnerable children (OVC).

To provide support facilities and activities for the OVC.

To educate the general community on how to care for the OVC.

To facilitate the establishment of income-generating skills.

To offer advice, support & mentorship to interested community members.

These children need to be taken care of and groomed, to break a systemic cycle of poverty. Due to absent parents, these children need life skills to teach them to live life to the full. Already, Refilwe Orphan Care has seen positive changes with respect to the children’s self-esteem & performance at schools.

Situational demographics – Refilwe Orphan Care is situated near the Southern outskirts of the informal settlement known as Refilwe. Refilwe is nestled between the Cullinan Diamond Mine and the many small holdings (small farms) that make up the community of Cullinan. Refilwe fell under the local municipality called “Nokeng tsa Taemane” situated in the greater Metsweding District. This municipality was recently absorbed into the greater Tshwane Municipality due to financial mismanagement. Refilwe, as is the case with the greater Metsweding area, battles with the effects caused by HIV/AIDS daily. Some documents estimate infections as high as 40% of the population- these figures are based on the 2010 data available.

Manager and organisation’s founder – Evelyn Matlala is a Christian woman who founded the Refilwe Orphan Care centre. Despite numerous obstacles, she resiliently served the vulnerable children of Refilwe. 

Today, Portia Matlala manages Refilwe Orphan Care and, as such, deals with all administration, child demographics and “Sponsor a child” initiatives.

Field workers, cooks and general staff – Several full-time workers and cooks work tirelessly at the centre. These workers and cooks are unpaid, but have dedicated their lives to helping the children on a full-time basis. When they speak about the children, they beam like stars, and they are very proud of the children they have helped these past few years.

Children served – 200 vulnerable children.

Make regular visits to the homes of the vulnerable children under the care of Refilwe Orphan Care.

Promote a stable environment for the child by strengthening the family and child.

Use basic listening skills to provide support for the family and child.

Assist in drawing up a “care plan” to guide the family to care for the child.

Promote and assist in comforting the child, ensuring sufficient rest and sleep for the child and ensuring the child has sufficient exercise.

Assist the family in spending and applying the child grants in the right way.

Give counselling to the child and family.

Assist in the supervision of the child in doing homework.

Assist in monitoring the child’s vital health needs, including monitoring any infections, STDs, HIV/AIDS and TB. If necessary, refer the child to the medical authorities as quickly and appropriately as possible.

Promote the nutrition of the child.

Cooking Gas 1 x 9 kg canister per week.

• That is 52 gas canister refills per year at R600 per refill at the closest refilling station.
• 1 large box of matches

Weekly Nutritional Menu:

Non-perishables

• 10 kg of rice or 10 kg of corn rice (Mealie rice)
• 75 kg of Maize-meal
• 10 litres of vegetable oil
• 6 litres of long-life milk
• 10 caterers’ soup boxes (or beef/chicken/vegetable stock alternative)
• 25 kg of Sugar
• 1 kg of Raja Curry spice
• Caterers tins of Mixed vegetables (several tins adding up to a weight of 20kg or 2 x 48 small tins)
• Caterers tins of Baked beans in tomato sauce (several tins adding up to a weight of 20kg or 2 x 48 small tins)
• Caterers tins of tomato and onion (several tins adding up to a weight of 20kg or 2 x 48 small tins)
• Caterers tins of tinned fish (several tins adding up to a weight of 20kg or 2 x 48 small tins)
• 5 litres of mixed juice/fruit juice concentrate that will be mixed with water to make a large quantity.
• 10 kg of Macaroni uncooked.
• 5 litres of Vinegar
• 20 litres of caterers’ tomato sauce
• 10 Litres of Atchar
  

Fresh Goods:

• 4 boxes of apples (48 per box)
• 36 Kg of Bananas (200 bananas per box in 18 kg denominations)
• 2 Bags of Pumpkin or Sweet Potatoes
• 4 x 10kg Potatoes
• 1 x 5kg Carrots
• 2 x 5 kg Onions
• 2 x 5 kg Beetroot

Frozen Foods:

• 3 x 5 kg boxes of Chicken Gizzards
• 3 x 5 kg boxes of Chicken feet
• 3 x 5 kg boxes of chicken necks

Cleaning Materials:

• Bulk pack of steel wool for scrubbing large aluminium pots
• 5 litres of General, all-purpose ammonia-based cleaner (for floors and surfaces), i.e. Handy Andy
• 5 litres of bleach for disinfecting germs and bacteria
• 5 litres of degreaser (Washing pots and dishes) i.e. Sunlight liquid.
• 2 litres of Cobra Polish
• 48 Rolls of Bulk toilet paper.
• 2 Kg Maq washing power

Optional Luxuries (wish list):

• 10 x 750g Bulk coffee powder (i.e. Ricoffee)
• 2 Kg Coffee creamer
• 200 tea bags (i.e. Five Roses or Joko)

Portia Matlala (Centre Manager)

Mobile:     +27 82 040 5023   or   +27 72 943 5370

Address:   1768 Zwane Street, Refilwe, Cullinan

Website:    www.refilwe.org.za