posted Nov 21, 2011 7:05 AM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Nov 21, 2011 7:08 AM
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 The first four years of a child's life are crucial for mental development. That is why ikhaya likababa is starting its first Annual Learn and play Drive. The staff at ikhaya have identified particular toys and activities that directly stimulate learning and imagination. ...
There are two ways to donate toys:
1) Order from a South African Retailer.
If you are not currently living in South Africa, and do not want to pay international shipping, do not worry. You may simply go to either of the links given below, select an item from the wish list, purchase the item with a credit card, and have it shipped to ikhaya (address found at the very bottom). Then facebook message me (Danielle Engelhorn) in order to let me know which item you are committing to so I can take it off all lists. Both retailers are located within South Africa and shipping costs are minimal. Items are listed in Rand. 1 U.S. dollar = 6.75 Rand. If you are asked to login, enter danielle_engelhorn@hotmail.com and the password welovechildren. But make sure to create your OWN ACCOUNT and order from there. Neither website has a gift registry so I had to create a wishlist on kalahari and a shopping cart on tinkle-pea. Do not change/edit these lists please, just use them as reference for what to order.
Tinkle-pea: http://tinklepea.co.za/catalog/shopping_cart.php (you must login with the details above before being able so view the cart)
kalahari: https://www.kalahari.com/pipeline/wishlist.asp?wishlistid=4799786&toolbar=none
2) Choose any item, new or used, from the comprehensive list below and mail or hand deliver to ikhaya. Once you commit to an item, please facebook message me (Danielle Engelhorn) so that I may take the item off all lists. Items are listed in order of priority.
Toys:
Musical instruments (wood preferred)
Play food for kitchen
Play money
DUPLO lego bricks
Baby shape sorting cube
Fisher-price stacking cups
Other stacking/sorting/counting items
Doctor Kit
Action Figures
dress up clothes
If you have an item not on this list you want to donate, feel free to message me to find out if it is an item we can still use.
Ikhaya's Mailing Address:
Ikhaya Likababa
P.O. Box 3884
Empangeni, SA
3880
Thank you so much! Let the Drive Begin! |
posted Sep 8, 2011 4:17 PM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Sep 8, 2011 4:19 PM
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Introducing Karen and Ruaraidh and their upcoming wedding:
The reason we have chosen Ikhaya Likababa is a quite simple. We have
everything we need in life and both felt very strongly that we didn't
want any gifts. However, we knew that people would still buy us things
so we thought we would direct the money to a worthwhile cause. We are
both just ordinary people, but our hearts break when we see need and
suffering. It is very overwhelming when you think of the scale of the
problems out there but I have always felt that you have to start
somewhere. As the saying goes 'it's better to light a candle than to
curse the darkness'.
That's something I try to live by. Originally we
were asking for donations to the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat
Institution) and SOS Childrens Villages. RNLI because I was in the
merchant navy for 15 years (I am now a senior lecturer at a nautical
college) and Ruaraidh is still at sea. However, we decided to change
it to the children only. From the beginning I wanted somewhere in South
Africa as I grew up there from the age of 9 till 23. We come for
holidays quite a lot as family and friends are still there and Ruaraidh
agreed that it would be a link to my past as well as being part of our
future. We were actually in Zululand on holiday over the new year! I
wanted to donate to an SOS village in Kwazulu Natal as I had lived in
Durban, but I couldn't find one, so I started surfing the web. When I
read about Ikhaya it just clicked into place. So a long story, but
a simple story :0).
We are not religious people, but we are definitely
spiritual so this has no connection to any church (we don't attend) or
other organisation. We're just trying to help make a difference.
Two of the guests at our wedding (Gemma and Shaun) have actually raised
quite a bit of money (through raffles, quiz nights etc) to actually
build an orphanage in Kenya, and they are only in their early twenties.
They have only recently returned and are now raising money for
equipment. We had thought about donating the money to them, but I had
already fallen for the idea of Ikhaya. If nothing else, the concept
will not be alien to many of the guests!
Our wedding is a little unusual - we are having a 'handfasting' wedding,
which is a ceremony that goes back a long, long way. It honours life
and nature and love and our hands are tied together with ribbons of
different colours - each one signifying something different eg love,
respect, loyalty etc.. Other than that it will be a normal weddng with a
big party afterwards! We are having it at the National Piping Centre
in Glasgow as Ruaraidh is an island boy from an island called South Uist
in the outer hebrides. Most of his family are native gaelic speakers so
it will be great fun!
If you wish to donate online, you can do so by clicking here
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posted Sep 8, 2011 4:08 PM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Sep 8, 2011 4:43 PM
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Eunice, Lynn and Gerry Son Kee - Event Organizers
A few words from Lynn Son Kee:
This was truly an amazing event which poured forth such blessings from the generous hearts of those who attended and helped make a difference in the lives of the orphans of Ikhaya LikaBaba! When the inspiration to
throw a fundraiser dinner and dance first came to me I trembled with trepidation since I had never embarked on trying to organize such a big event before. I shared this
idea with my parents Gerry and Eunice and my dad (Gerry) set me on course right away with confidence saying that both he and my mother would help me organize everything! I
truly do not know what I would have done without my parents. We had many
amazing sponsors which helped us put together some great gift baskets,
silent auction items. More about our sponsors are on the fundraiser
website: www.fullyalive4today.comThe
plan was to attract 100 guests, and were totally bowled over by the
response of those who wanted to support this cause and had 251 guests
and completely sold out to the capacity of the banquet hall. The
event was held at Otello's banquet hall with a delicious sit down dinner.
There was a saxophone player, a DJ, a stand up comedian and we also
found time to hit the dance floor. The funds raised exceeded our
targeted goal and will go towards Ikhaya's development fund to hire
additional staff so that they can take in more babies into their loving
home and care. A HEART FELT THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED AND SUPPORTED THIS WORTHY CAUSE :)
To share some moments from the evening, below is a medley of pictures that were kindly taken by Brian Vicencio especially for this event:
A little peek from our gift basket tableThe Silent Auction Table
Capturing those special moments...
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posted Jul 1, 2011 12:37 PM by iKhaya Likababa Office
RUN (ONE)43
The RUN143
has been organised by a Canadian family who are organising this amazing
event for the second year in a row. The proceeds will go towards 3
organisations in order to help those organisations who are supporting
the orphans and abandoned babies.
"There
are an estimated 143 million orphans in the world. We wanted to do
something to make a difference. So we got together and decided to run
and run and run. One mile for every million orphans. The run was more
successful and powerful than any of us could have dreamed and we are
immensely grateful for all who supported us. The run, however, is not
done. There continue to be millions of orphans
who need their story told. Now that some time has passed, your muscles
have healed, and your stories been told I ask you once again.....
Won't you join us for a run?
We all have the opportunity to support, sponsor or join in this event in whatever way you feel led to.
This year they will be running 143 kilometers from North Battlefield to Saskatoon in Canada. "
Being
in Canada, it may seem like we cannot be directly involved, but there
are some ways we can participate and make a difference- from afar. It is
possible to help them fundraise or to support one of the families who
are involved. We are also wanting to help to get the word out to people
who are able to participate and to be a part of that run. Please pass
the link on to friends and family and take a
look before you do.
Please log onto this link to see more pictures and more details....
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posted May 6, 2011 8:21 AM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Sep 8, 2011 4:12 PM
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posted Jan 12, 2011 4:17 AM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Jan 28, 2011 9:20 AM
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When giving is receiving
By: Lesley Naudé
Norwegians Tormod and Jenny Budal wanted to give their children the experience of a lifetime.
It turned out to be something unconventional - bringing the whole family to Africa to volunteer at Zululand’s iKhaya Likababa facility caring for orphaned or abandoned babies.
‘Volunteering in a totally different culture has opened our eyes to the difficulties people outside Norway face,’ says Tormod.
He is an Electrical Engineer currently working as a Service Engineer on ships around the world.
His work takes him away from home on four-week rotation and his current job requires flying to Angola and Tanzania.
While he is away, Jenny and three of their four children, Helga Sofie (19), Svanhild (16) and Trygve (13) put all their efforts into iKhaya Likababa.
Trygve has joined Felixton College to continue his schooling.
The two girls have also been volunteering at Empangeni Christian School, where some of the home’s children attend.
Upon Tormod’s return he continues the constant job of doing maintenance around the home.
He says one of his greatest delights is when his faithful ‘assistant’, one of the home’s three year-old charges, comes to ‘work’ by his side.
‘Because of his interest we gave him a toy toolbox for Christmas, and he was ecstatic,’ says Jenny.
Adjustment
The family has found the adjustment to South African culture fairly easy.
‘I think you have the best of the English culture. South Africans have a high sense of morality and the will to help others.
‘My work takes me all over the world and this is one of my best experiences so far,’ says Tormod.
Some idiosyncrasies they have found particularly strange include locals’ tendency to apologise for everything, even when it is not their fault.
High praise
iKhaya Likababa co-ordinator Wendy Oxley says the family have been an invaluable asset to the home for the past five months and they are dreading having to part with them.
‘Tormod and Jenny have become mom and dad for all the volunteers and the home’s children and they have brought a real sense of family among everyone.’
iKhaya Likababa welcomes both local and international volunteers.
The home would also appreciate any donations including household items, food and monthly support for the payment of staff.
For more information contact Wendy on 035 7911116.
Lesley Naudé
Journalist - Zululand Observer
Tel: 035 7990500
FAX: 035 7725596 Cell: 082 4447 691
lesley@zululandobserver.co.za
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posted Dec 30, 2010 10:25 AM by iKhaya Likababa Office
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updated Dec 30, 2010 11:02 AM
]
We were absolutely delighted when the children's jungle gym and sand-pit were completed just in time for Christmas and for them to enjoy in the holidays! In addition to this , the wall around the house should be fully erected by the end of tomorrow. Thank you to a wonderful family who saw the need and reached out. Thank you for making this possible.
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posted Dec 15, 2010 1:43 AM by Wendy Oxley
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updated Dec 15, 2010 2:06 AM
]
There has been a wonderful donation from a special family in America in response to our wall funding project and as an extra blessing they have added a jungle gym & sand pit for the children. As we speak, the poles for the jungle gym have been erected and by nightfall it should be fully installed and ready for the children in the morning.
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posted Dec 10, 2010 5:14 AM by Wendy Oxley
posted Dec 10, 2010 5:13 AM by Wendy Oxley
We are building, we have built and we are still building. I am not sure whether this type of project ever comes to an end.
We were given a house which was not suitable for a home for babies and so we have had to make a fair number of alterations to the existing structure. Some of these alerations have been adding 2 extra rooms, building a kitchen and creating a babies room with bath and changing facilities. We have subsequently seen the need for further additions as we need to expand our facility to house more babies. The need in this area is overwhelming and we are having to turn babies away at the moment.
The new building will be able to care for 21 babies with all the necessary support structures. uMhalatuze Architects in Empangeni, graciously donated their time and drew up the plans. They are absolutely remarkable and exactly what we wanted.
This is a susbstantial task and will need lots of finances and a team of people to build.
We would like to break the process up into various phases:
Phase1
Removing the gum tree plantation on the land that has been allocated. This includes cutting down the trees, removing them off the property, removing the roots and clearing it of all debris
Phase 2
Digging and laying the foundations
Phase 3
Building
Phase 4
Plumbing and electrics, painting, tiling
Phase 5
Secure electric gates, walls, entrance and baby drop.
The Cost: $150 000 (this is just for the structure and excludes putting all the furniture and equipment)
All hands, gloves and spades welcome.... come and labour with us on site at Bayview Estate, Felixton Empangeni 18 July.
Contact us for more info.
Why Not Africa - Promotional Video
Foundation Video- July 13, 2009
Video - Digging - Day 3
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