Ethembeni
Children’s Home
Ethembeni
Children’s Home, one of the caring ministries of The Salvation Army,
came into being in 1995 due to the need to accommodate abandoned HIV/AIDS
infected and affected babies as a result of the overwhelming demand for
this service on another Salvation Army Children’s Home.
Ethembeni provides care for up to 60 children from birth to 3 years. All children in need of care are admitted irrespective of their health status. Children who have been abandoned, removed from abusive situations or removed from carers who are not able to adequately meet the needs of the child, are placed at Ethembeni by the Commissioner of Child Welfare.
The cost to keep a child at Ethembeni is in excess of R3 500.00 per month. The cost is particularly high due to the number of staff required to constantly care for babies and the volume of domestic and cosmetic consumables used.
Ethembeni is very fortunate to have the services of volunteers who provide formal professional age appropriate stimulatory programs throughout the week.
The government subsidises most of the children at R1 600.00 per month, per child. The Salvation Army raises funds and commits to support Ethembeni as best possible, but there is still a substantial budgetary shortfall to be made up. Much needed capital projects can only be embarked on with specific donor funding.
In order to continue the services the children need, Ethembeni has to raise close to R1million annually to cover running costs, be it through The Salvation Army or through donations directly to Ethembeni.
Over the past four years, Ethembeni has transformed its services to the children in its care by involving volunteers more efficiently, effectively introducing stimulatory programs, promoting and encouraging shorter periods of residency for the children by assisting to have children returned to their communities, foster or adoptive parents, and enduring a regular income by renting out a portion of the building.
Ethembeni’s long term vision is to expand the access of its stimulation programs and primary baby care to the immediate community.
Ethembeni provides care for up to 60 children from birth to 3 years. All children in need of care are admitted irrespective of their health status. Children who have been abandoned, removed from abusive situations or removed from carers who are not able to adequately meet the needs of the child, are placed at Ethembeni by the Commissioner of Child Welfare.
The cost to keep a child at Ethembeni is in excess of R3 500.00 per month. The cost is particularly high due to the number of staff required to constantly care for babies and the volume of domestic and cosmetic consumables used.
Ethembeni is very fortunate to have the services of volunteers who provide formal professional age appropriate stimulatory programs throughout the week.
The government subsidises most of the children at R1 600.00 per month, per child. The Salvation Army raises funds and commits to support Ethembeni as best possible, but there is still a substantial budgetary shortfall to be made up. Much needed capital projects can only be embarked on with specific donor funding.
In order to continue the services the children need, Ethembeni has to raise close to R1million annually to cover running costs, be it through The Salvation Army or through donations directly to Ethembeni.
Over the past four years, Ethembeni has transformed its services to the children in its care by involving volunteers more efficiently, effectively introducing stimulatory programs, promoting and encouraging shorter periods of residency for the children by assisting to have children returned to their communities, foster or adoptive parents, and enduring a regular income by renting out a portion of the building.
Ethembeni’s long term vision is to expand the access of its stimulation programs and primary baby care to the immediate community.
December 2009 Newsletter Click Here
January 2010 Newsletter Click Here
March 2011 Newsletter Click Here
August 2011 Newsletter Click Here
