iThemba Lethu seeks to impact children and young people in Durban whose future is being threatened by HIV /AIDS. Our vision is to see these children and young people regain a meaningful destiny by them:
- recognising the value of their lives;
- recognising their spiritual inheritance;
- being part of a secure family or having positive relationships.
Our Name
iThemba Lethu means ‘I have a destiny’.
Our vision is to restore the destiny to babies and young people whose futures are at risk
of being negatively impacted by the affects of HIV/AIDS
Our Image
The pictures are of young people of various ages swirling a red ribbon –
an image representing the unravelling of the AIDS ‘knot’.
The ribbon is unfurled, depicting an end to the boundaries and barriers that have been created around HIV/AIDS.
Their faces show hope and their body language proclaims triumph and confidence.
There is hope and a destiny for each child.
In the same way, each baby and young person that we come into contact with will understand
the triumph of a meaningful destiny and future.
Purpose and Objectives of iThemba Lethu
iThemba Lethu seeks to impact the lives of children and young people in Durban whose futures are being threatened by HIV/AIDS. Our vision is to see each of them regain a meaningful destiny.
iThemba Lethu will:
- invest in children who are at high risk of having their future negatively impacted by HIV/AIDS
- assist in the process of integrating orphaned and abandoned babies into suitable family environments
iThemba Lethu has two main programmes that seek to achieve these long term objectives, and an affiliated programme that assists in providing optimal care for the babies in the transition homes:
1. HIV Prevention Programme
The aim of the school-based behavioural change intervention is to reduce HIV infection rates amongst pre-adolescent young people in Cato Manor by reducing their risk-taking behaviour in general. The motivation for change has to be the realisation of self–value and destiny. This provides a backdrop against which HIV/AIDS education can then have a positive effect on their lifestyle and behaviour. The work with young people is supported by programmes for care-givers and teachers which aids in maintaining change.
2. Family Integration Programme
The aim of the programme is to facilitate the adoption of babies who have been orphaned or abandoned as a result of HIV/AIDS. In the transition homes, the babies are cared for, nurtured and loved. The entire process of screening potential families and facilitating the placement is carried out by our social worker – thereby accelerating the process whilst adhering to the requirements of the Children’s Court.
Volunteers assist in providing excellent care and individual attention for the babies.
Breastmilk Bank
The Breastmilk Bank affords breast-feeding moms the opportunity to donate their excess breast milk. The moms are screened and the milk is pasteurised before being fed to the babies at the transition homes. As the best form of nutrition, the health and well-being of the babies significantly improves.