Siyabona Trust receives help in its fight to save South Coast children from the ravages of HIV

The Siyabona Trust is to receive a hundred thousand Rand donation from the Alexander Forbes Community Trust to help care for 160 children at risk between Umzinto and Highflats on the KwaZulu Natal south coast.

Siyabona was established to help care for children affected or infected with HIV. Many children in rural areas find themselves abandoned when their parents become ill or die from HIV. And even where grandparents or extended families take them in thesenetworks are ofteninsufficiently resourced to adequately care for these children.

The result is that “many children at risk end up suffering severe neglect and malnutrition during their crucial formative years” says Molly Bailey, founder of the Siyabona Trust.

As such, Siyabona set out to help by dividing the 160 children in their care into three categories with different needs. Approximately 103 children between the ages of two and four will receive care, food and, where necessary, access to medical treatment and counseling. Another 52 primary school children will receive help with food and transport costs. In addition five disabled children will be provided with food and transport to clinics for therapy and treatment at either Christ the King Hospital in Ixopo or G.J. Crookes Hospital in Scottburgh.

A further 21 children infected with HIV or TB and will be provided with fortified food and regular health checks.

Bailey says, “transport is one of the biggest issue in the lives of all involved with the Siyabona Trust, whether it is getting the bigger kids to school or getting food to far flung crèches or homesteads. The hospitals are between 50 to 60 kms away and public transport costs are out of reach for the poor.”

Transport is also required to help the care givers obtain official documents such as parent’s death certificates and identity documents - and for them to visit government offices to apply for government grants.

The Siyabona Trust delivers its service through 19 crèches attended weekdays between 7 am and 2 pm.

Bailey adds that “in many instances care needs to be provided to children in their home environments with regular follow-up to ensure children are not exposed to neglect or abuse.’

This after-crèche care is provided by Abasizi (community volunteers) who learn of children with care givers too poor, sick or old to care for their children. The Abasizirefer the cases to Siyabona, distribute food and clothing, and monitor the care of the children.

Four final year Social Work students from the Nelson Mandela Medical School at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Family and Public Health Medicine provide counseling for children and care givers, spend time with children in crèches and assist with advice for care givers seeking government grants.

The hundred thousand Rand donated to Siyabona by the Alexander Forbes Community Trust will help provide care, nutrition, protection, medical attention, stimulation and transport to all 160 children forduring their critical formative years.

Over and above the monetary contribution, Alexander Forbes staff in the KZN office have donated stationary, toys, medical kits and other basic commoditiesneeded by the children and the care givers.

”The children in this programme will be given the opportunity to grow and develop as normally as possible and to lay a the foundation for a better life” says Bailey.

A further 21 children infected with HIV or TB and will be provided with fortified food and regular health checks.

Bailey says, “transport is one of the biggest issue in the lives of all involved with the Siyabona Trust, whether it is getting the bigger kids to school or getting food to far flung crèches or homesteads. The hospitals are between 50 to 60 kms away and public transport costs are out of reach for the poor.”

Transport is also required to help the care givers obtain official documents such as parent’s death certificates and identity documents - and for them to visit government offices to apply for government grants.

The Siyabona Trust delivers its service through 19 crèches attended weekdays between 7 am and 2 pm.

Bailey adds that “in many instances care needs to be provided to children in their home environments with regular follow-up to ensure children are not exposed to neglect or abuse.’

This after-crèche care is provided by Abasizi (community volunteers) who learn of children with care givers too poor, sick or old to care for their children. The Abasizirefer the cases to Siyabona, distribute food and clothing, and monitor the care of the children.

Four final year Social Work students from the Nelson Mandela Medical School at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Family and Public Health Medicine provide counseling for children and care givers, spend time with children in crèches and assist with advice for care givers seeking government grants.

The hundred thousand Rand donated to Siyabona by the Alexander Forbes Community Trust will help provide care, nutrition, protection, medical attention, stimulation and transport to all 160 children forduring their critical formative years.

Over and above the monetary contribution, Alexander Forbes staff in the KZN office have donated stationary, toys, medical kits and other basic commoditiesneeded by the children and the care givers.

”The children in this programme will be given the opportunity to grow and develop as normally as possible and to lay a the foundation for a better life” says Bailey.