The Care-Givers

These guys are all about giving even whilst inconvenient. It's been a pleasure working with and to the benefit of their respective causes

Armaband (South Africa)

Armabrand is a foundation passionate about young leaders. Our model is simple. We use a 3-tiered approach of 1stly EQUIPPING young leaders through our Arms leadership model. 2ndly we EXPECT Innovative solutions once we align them with internships and lastly we EXPOSE their genius via publishing such as daily news, Books and Documentaries that profile the potential and possibility of young leaders. Armabrand will change how you see the potential of our youth as we are enabling a new generation of African Leaders who know its their time to lead!

Babies Behind Bars (Gauteng)

Dating back to 2008 though the idea was born many years ago when Romy Titus ended up behind bars, not due to any criminal act but reported on a story for prime time news on children in prison, Babies Behind Bars' main aim is to look after children who live with their mothers behind bars. If you've ever seen a prison cell (on TV or with your own eyes) you'll realise that cold concrete floors and walls, little windows and double barrelled cast iron doors is no environment to raise healthy children, let alone tomorrow's leaders. Sadly their mothers rarely have alternatives... Babies Behind Bars have monthly drives to take care of these children's basic needs be it food, formula, clothing, shoes, toys, toiletries or nappies as well put smiles on little faces in jail. Babies Behind Bars operates in 10 prisons but hopes to take its good Samaritans to every prison in the country.

Baphumelele (Khayalitsha, Cape Town)

In 1989, Rosie Mashale,a primary school teacher, moved from the Eastern Cape to Khayelitsha and was instantly dismayed to see young children going through the rubbish dump in search of food while their parents were away during the day, either at work or in search of work. She responded by taking children into her home, and together with a group of women from the community, began looking after these unsupervised children. After the first week, 36 children had joined their charge. Today Baphumelele (Xhosa: "progress") is a creche, day-care centre and orphanage caring for roughly 230 children aged three months to six years.

Habitat for Humanity (South Africa)

In 1968, Koinonia laid out 42 half-acre house sites with four acres reserved as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated from around the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and no interest. The basic model of Habitat for Humanity was begun. Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem - decent housing for all. Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses, sheltering more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.

Ikageng (Soweto, Johannesburg)

Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry was founded by Carol Dyantyi in 2002 as she took in 2 children who had lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Today the organisation caters for 1,661 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) across 298 homes. This has contributed greatly to keeping children off the streets as assistance is provided such that the children can pursue their education. Educating children on living responsibly, Ikageng helps instill hope in children that had little of it left.

Lusito Community Upliftment Project (Soweto, Johannesburg)

The Lusito Project is a non-profit community-based organisation founded in 2005 to assist children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Lusito Project works daily to provide a safe haven for the community's vulnerable orphans and child-headed families. The Lusito Project also conducts life orientation work-shops. The Lusito Project operates out of Phakamani Primary School (1 Mdingi Street Mofolo North, Soweto) and plays host to children from 8 neighbouring primary and secondary schools.

Nkosi's Haven (Johannesburg)

Founded by Gail Johnson in 1999 and named in honour of her 12 year old foster son who became in international inspiration to People living with Aids (PWA), Nkosi's Havens are care centres for women and children with Aids. Recently, the vision that gave birth to Nkosi's Havens, has expanded to include projects whereby, amongst others, PWAs will be provided with care and employment in communal environments. "Our dream is to establish care centres for HIV/AIDS mothers and their children (infected or not) to ensure that they are able to live in an environment of acceptance and understanding. Here they will learn to care for themselves and their children and cope effectively with the new challenges that HIV/AIDS will present to them".

Othandweni (Soweto, Johannesburg)

Othandweni (Zulu: "Place of Love"), a model orphanage, has recently been awarded the Impumelelo Award for its "innovation, impact on poverty, sustainability, replicability and effectiveness". This model orphanage sets impressive standards using innovative methods to reach the youth in the area.  The children here need the basics: clothes, food, and shelter. The same as us. The difference is that if left unattended, they won't receive it. The orphanage is doing everything right - helping children obtain and keep jobs when they age out of Othandweni, working to find homes for each child though constantly battling the stigma of conflict and disease, feeding them, clothing them, everything in their power. A nursery where children run up to you with their arms up and their faces full of hope leads to the cottages which try to create a "family" feeling for its children.

Phuthadichaba Home for the Aged (Alexandra, Johanesburg)

In 1986, at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle, the security police threw hand grenades into Alexandra philanthropist Linda Twala's house in 17th Street. Twala had been campaign organiser of the Save Alex Campaign in 1979 (Alexandra, established in 1912 had been threatened with demolition many times) Several prominent Alexandrans had had their houses bombed. "After the bombing I had nothing to wear. Old ladies brought me shirts," he recalls.Those old ladies meant a lot to Twala, hence the Alexandra philanthropist started Phuthadichaba Home for the Aged, which still cares for Alexandra's old today.

Usindiso Ministries: Women's Shelter (CBD, Johannesburg)

Usindiso is a woman's shelter, providing a safe haven to abused and displaced women. Usindiso shelters 120 women (plus their children)and provides the basic needs of each woman and child, including accommodation, food, toiletries, nappies and clothing. Our social worker department offers counseling, individual and group therapy and discussions. They also assist the women to apply for ID books and grants, where necessary. Workshops are held to create awareness of HIV and Aids, Human Rights and their rights as women. Our programmes include Life Skills, Skills for Life, Handcrafts, and we assist the women to find employment and to become whole - spirit, soul and body.

Siyazigabisa Home of Hope (Thembisa, Johannesburg)

Siyazigabisa (Zulu: "we are proud of who we are") is a home for abandoned, abused and runaways youth and women. Founded by Gab'sile Khoza, a local crime fighter and community builder from a single room shack nows houses over 4 dozen vulnerable women and children. Siyazigabisa Home of Hope seeks to provide shelter, counselling and to unite families.