Our Story

Ntombifuthi Mthembu, 26 years with her daughter. Ntombifuthi died on the 10 January 2003. Her sister, Thabile, aged 19 years, died in 2002. The Dharmagiri Trust (namely Kittisaro and Thanissara, the guiding teachers at the Buddhist Retreat Centre) undertook to establish, guide and support the project. Louis and Chrisi van Loon ( the owners of the Buddhist Retreat Centre ) offered board and lodging at the center to project manager Sue Hedden. The launching of the project was made possible to a large extent by the The San Francisco Sangha and the Libra Foundation, from the UK.

Sizakela Dlamini, aged 29 years. Sizakela died on the 10 May 2003. Consultations with various stakeholders in the greater Chibini community followed. It soon became apparent that we were living amidst a major catastrophe. According to the then Induna / Headman, Mr Simon Chiya (who since then has been replaced by Mr. Ngcobo), many young people were dying. It seemed that the level of awareness about HIV/Aids was virtually non-existent. This was confirmed with a report of a sangoma/traditional healer linking the death of their young people with "bad medicine being dropped out of the sky".

Vulindlela Vilakazi with his son
Thembi Mzobe, vulnerable child receives a donated teddy bear. It was clear that awareness and education around the existing HIV/Aids crisis were a priority. ATTIC (the Aids training and Information center) in Pietermaritzburg put us in touch with the Siyaphila support group, a group of Zulu speaking people living with Aids. Four members from this group, Jabu, Vulindlela, Bongi and Thandi, agreed to come and conduct a series of workshops. Jabu Molefe and Vulindlela Vilakazi are still closely associated with the Woza Moya project, offering information, counseling and support to the Chibini community on a monthly basis.

The two local schools, Lusiba (Grades 1 to 7) and Sinevuso (Grades 8 to 11) are both in a poor state. Generous support from the sangha enabled us to assist Lusiba where possible. The feeding scheme at Lusiba was reinstated with the help of a South African donor. Stephan and Martine Batchelor (Buddhist teachers living in France) donated a photocopy machine to Lusiba school and also paid for the electrification of Sinevuso. A Buddhist school in Florida, USA, is in the process of setting up an exchange and support programme for Lusiba and Sinevuso schools. Moyra Keane from the Johannesburg sangha co-ordinates this project. Please see the How You Can Help section for information about the School Sponsorship Programme.

Jane, Sue and Benedicta. AFSA staff, Francis Zulu, Nonhlanhla Xaba and Obed Qunu run a workshop for the Woza Moya team. From the beginning we have been guided by the Aids Foundation of South Africa ( AFSA ) who steered us in to the areas of home-based care, orphan intervention and poverty alleviation. The Chibini community initially chose 16 volunteers to undergo extensive training in home based care with a special focus on HIV/Aids, counseling, first aid, orphan intervention and training/education regarding social security grants. Of these original 16 volunteers Jane Nxasana has been promoted to Ground Manager, while Benedicta Ndlovu was made Senior Volunteer.

Three of the six Nene orphans. Both their parents died as a result of HIV/Aids. Much of the training has been in conjunction with the Ixopo clinic. Sister Mseleko, fondly known as Aunt Gilda, has been very dedicated in the training and support of the caregiver team. In addition we have regular meetings with the social worker in Ixopo, to assist with orphans whom the volunteers have identified among the steadily growing number of vulnerable children and child-headed households.

Preperations for the Christmas Party. Grade 1 pupils at Lusiba helped make the decorations and BRC retreatants helped with party packs and decorations. An annual event on the Woza Moya calendar is the yearly Christmas party for the children of Chibini hosted at the Buddhist Retreat Centre. To this hundreds of children turn up, along with the local dignitaries, the volunteers and many others. A BRC employee plays a warm and jovial Father Christmas giving gifts to all the delighted children.

Christmas Party!

Maxine Linnell, a therapist from the Karuna Institute in the UK, offered a counseling course for the volunteers at the beginning of 2002. This was a very special and enriching experience for all participants, many of whom continue to reflect on this process, still today.

4 of the 12 Mzizi orphaned vulnerable children After submitting a proposal to AFSA we received a formal visit from three of their staff workers in March 2002. Sizakela Zuma led the delegation that met with the Woza Moya volunteer team and the Woza Moya management committee, consisting of eight key stakeholders in the Chibini community. We passed the test and are now formally under the wing of the Aids Foundation. The Aids Foundation will cover the basic running costs of the project for 3 years. This is a great relief, especially for Kittisaro and Thanissara, who have worked tirelessly, fund raising for the project. We do still need, however, to fund raise for projects not covered by the Aids Foundation. These projects include subsidized medicines for HIV+ patients, assisting families in crisis with food parcels, medical care, second hand clothing, and school aid, responding to the needs of our two local schools and other special cases.

Nonjabulo, an orphaned vulnerable child. We also received our certificate of registration from the Department of Social development from Pretoria and are now officially a non-profit organization. This should make it easier for potential donors to support our special projects.

In April 2002 Thanissara launched her poetry book, "Garden of the Midnight Rosary", in Durban, at Louis and Chrisi van Loon's home. Thanissara offered the evening as a benefit for the Woza Moya Crisis Support Fund. The evening was a great success with the proceeds going towards helping two children in the Chibini community, Mhlonishwa and Nonjabulo.

Woza Moya volunteer, Elton Ndlovu, at home with his father. Mhlonishwa Dlamini is a boy of 11 years old who began having pain in his back and shoulders 3 years ago. His condition degenerated, leaving him paralyzed. Medical specialists were unable to help him. He was a very keen student and has continued to help other children with their homework in the afternoons. Mhlonishwa's dream of returning to school was realized when we delivered a wheelchair to his home. He is now back at Lusiba school and has a permanent smile on his bright young face.

Edistar, Community Health Worker, repairs her home. Nonjabulo Mkhize is a girl of 13 years old who was blinded in one eye when a drip was inserted incorrectly at Christ the King Hospital, in Ixopo. Sadly she was often subjected to teasing at school which resulted in her being a very shy and introverted young girl. Nonjabulo has now had a glass eye fitted. These days she is often seen laughing and playing with the other children in the community with a new sense of self confidence.

These stories (and others not mentioned here) are made possible by the ongoing support of the sangha. Your compassion and generosity, whether in monetary or other form, is deeply appreciated and has indeed touched the lives of the people of Ufafa.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE