I am sure that you are all wondering what Indawo Yosizo means......... it means "Centre of Help" and it is an amazing place filled with dedicated people, whose main objective is to make a difference to those in need, and I must say I am humbled by the fact that I am part of this amazing organisation.
Although they are involved in many projects, my passion is the children, mainly because they didn't have a choice about there birth, they didn't ask to live in poverty, they didn't ask to be orphans, we mainly deal with those children who are affected and infected by HIV/Aids, and I really don't think that people are aware of how this pandemic is destroying the lives of millions of people, I am not just talking about the people who are dying I am talking about the children who are left behind to fend for themselves, I am talking about the 13-18 year old children who are left to raise their brothers and sisters because their parents are gone, I am talking about children who don't eat everyday who sometimes only eat twice a week.
We started with this program a few years ago at a school called Sikile Primary School in a place called Ratanda, we started with 5 children, the first time we visited we took along school bags and stationary, these children had only ever used a plastic packet to carry their books in, and were thrilled to have their own school cases, and pens, pencils, papers, ..... they had never had their own always had to share with the other 50 children in their class.
This is Nellie, the teachers said she very seldom came to school until we started to help her, and then she changed from a quiet, surly child into someone who took part in class discussions and who actually smiled............ we bought her a dress as she was wearing boys clothes the first time we met her, and we all thought she was a little boy, only the little pink belt gave us an inkling that she was a little girl...........
This is the children lining up for cold drinks, the school had a heritage day celebration, and we gave all 850 children in the school a packet of biscuits and a cold drink, we had to make up concentrated orange juice as we did not have enough money to buy tins, or bottles of cold drink................... it took us hours........ but it was all worthwhile when I was leaving a little boy ran up to me and hugged me and thanked me for the best day ever.................. it made me cry to realise how blessed we are ........ his best day ever was a biscuit and a cold drink......... how spoilt we are..................
The number of children needing help grew everytime, and before we realised what happened we were feeding 50 children twice a week, and also when funds allowed giving them food parcels, we just couldn't turn anyone away the need was just so great....... how do you say no to a child....
Today two years later we are feeding almost 200 children this is just at one school, there are many other schools that are crying out for help but we just don't have the funds to help them.
I know that God will provide, and I know first hand what a difference one person can make to the life of a child...................
Check out our website.......... http://www.centreofhelp.co.za
Wow! What amazing work you are doing! It is so wonderful that you are helping these children. You are making such a difference.
ReplyDeleteYour story is so inspiring! Thank you for the website...This is truly God's work here on earth and you are like a guardian angel to these little ones. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration. Those pictures are great. The children look so cute. Kudos to you for taking your time to make the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Karen. This post made me cry. I am so overwhelmed by the words you have written here. It is wonderful work that you people are doing. There can be nothing more beautiful than making children smile. I am really proud of you. My situation does not allow me to help. But one day, i'll work for them.
ReplyDeleteOh wow!!! Such an amazingly inspiring story. Nellie is beyond precious. What a blessing you are to so many children. I pray that the Lord multiplies the effort 10000000 fold!
ReplyDelete~melody~
What a wonderful organisation! You are an inspiration :)
ReplyDelete