“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

Partner with us

Meeting the everyday needs in a home is the easy part of raising a family. Ensuring the spiritual, emotional and psychological needs are met, along with excellent education, means digging deeper and reaching out more as we aim to develop and mold the precious lives of the children entrusted into our care. We accept the challenge as a privilege to love and equip these young lives to be complete and whole young adults, who in turn will multiply our passion and heart for those in need of care in our community; especially vulnerable children.

You too can be a part of each child’s journey to fullness of life through volunteering your professional services, donating food, nappies, clothing, and equipment and so on or financially contributing to the running costs of our home and the children’s educational and psychological needs.

A man’s job is never done… Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance…. from buildings to beds, bikes and toys, to equipment, it’s a never-ending story. So if you’re a handy man;

you will be in “handy man heaven” here!

Celebrating Life

What a joy it has been to watch this little tot grow and transform from a “chrysalis to a butterfly”.

Celebrating her first birthday was an exciting occasion as she beamed and glowed as the focus was on her. She is a happy, smiley bundle of delight in our lives and is loved dearly!

Thank you to those who contributed to making her birthday so special and such fun with the ball pond castle, a gift and yummy cake to share. We appreciate you all.

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” - Stacia Tauscher, dancer and artist

 Parties with a Purpose

As parents we create memories and throw parties to celebrate with friends. Sweets and treats, gifts and games are the order of the day. I am a mother and so I speak from experience when I say our heart is to bless our children in this way. At iKhaya we are no different… we too have a heart to bless the little lives in our home. But we take it a step further and add a purpose. Each child has a turn to be the centre of the attention, to be loved and adored through a party. We allow the school children to invite school friends to their party and they are given a cash gift from us to teach the value of money, respect for their own belongings. The kids get to choose to spend half the cash gift or to save it. The other half they spend on new clothes only. Our ulterior motive of a party and the monetary gift is to teach the children simple budgeting, social skills, safety when in town, value of goods and saving for items on their wish lists.

Look at the fun our princess, who turned 8 this month, had with her friends and iKhaya siblings!

 Quality Time

What a blessing to have four dedicated, caring and loving volunteers who are committed to life with us. They spend much social time interacting with the children and taking them places. Kathleen, Kristin, Ursula and Priska will leave us next month having served wholeheartedly for 11 months at iKhaya. We appreciate them and will surely miss them beyond measure!

School's Out!

The holiday is upon us and the kids are enjoying the much needed break, especially those who wrote exams. What a pleasure to receive a number of reports showing improvement in grades and effort by so many of our children. They have all experienced a life trauma and to be producing the standard we see is simply warms the heart with pride and joy! Here are some of the fun activities enjoyed by the children these holidays so far…

Sponsor's Thank You Function

Solid Ground Church and iKhaya hosted an event to thank all the sponsors who have partnered with us to support iKhaya LikaBaba. We appreciate your kindness and generosity and know that it is a team effort to achieve our goals!

The kids sang and danced, in a show they prepared, to entertain us all. This was such a treat and produced many a smile as we watched them in action! Getting to know each sponsor on a more personal level over a cup of coffee was an important and valuable time, especially to me. Thank you all for joining us. To those who could not make it this time, here is what you missed out on…

“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” - Nelson Mandela

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchhill

Doing Life with us

Meeting the physical needs is easy but reaching the heart and healing the whole person takes courage, strength and passion. We are privileged to be connecting with and emotionally getting closer to the kids in our care. You too can be a part of each child’s journey to fullness of life through volunteering your professional services, donating food, nappies, clothing, and equipment and so on, financially contributing to the running of our home.

A man’s job is never done… Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance…. from buildings to beds, bikes and toys, to equipment, it’s a never-ending story. So if you’re a handy man; you will be in “handy man heaven” here! Contact me to see how you can make a difference in our lives!

French Visitors

What a privilege to partner with Annecy Church, Eglise des Nations. You have caught the heart of our mission and so reach out with your support to make our work possible. Having you visit us in South Africa was absolutely awesome and meeting you face to face strengthens our connection. The maintenance chores you undertook are spectacular and given the drawers new life! The beach trip was such fun… our kids’ favourite outing destination!

St Catherine’s Pre-School Fun Day with Spur

Spoilt rotten once again! We were treated to an incredible morning of kiddies activities including face painting, icing cupcakes, a tea garden, kids games, pony rides and so much more by St Catherine’s Pre School in May. Eagle Creek Spur sponsored our delish lunch once again. We look forward to this annual event with great anticipation and you have made it a highlight on our calendar!

Scream, You Scream….

we all scream for ICE-CREAM! Our local 5 Ways Mall has a lovely new ice-cream parlour. Our resident German volunteers took a group of youngsters for a treat while enjoying time out together. A great opportunity to teach the kids social skills, manners and safety while out and about. Thank you for the generosity you share and the hearts of gold you have when spending time with the children.
 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words…

Look at the outstanding artwork of Kathleen. The last of kids bedrooms are finished and looking superb! Our heart’s intent, when we go the extra mile in this manner, is to let our children know that they are worthy, loved, cherished and chosen! We want them growing up knowing and believing, through our actions, that we truly do care and love them deeply and individually. Every child is hand-picked by our Father!

My Lighthouse

Solid Grounders were showered in song during a church service on Mercy Ministries. iKhaya LikaBaba, as a ministry of Solid Ground Church, was presented as one of the many ministries in which to get involved in to make a difference as Christ called us to. The kids brought great big smiles to our faces as they sang with actions and some antics too!

Education is Key

Our in-house pre-school caters for aged 3-5 year olds. This is the grade RRR and RR years in preparation for “big school”. Our goal is to eventually teach up to grade R ourselves, with the help of OT and Speech Therapists, to ensure we bridge the developmental gaps so many of our kids experience after the trauma they faced at such an early age.

New Beginnings

We welcomed a little might into our home recently. We showered her with love and affection and established a feeding and sleeping routine to suit the joint needs of baby and caregivers. This process helps to settle the babies while establishing an environment of safety and care in which babies thrive. This routine also helps moms to take best care of both themselves and their babies, as both get good rest and good nutrition. A happy baby means happy mom. Happy mom makes a content baby!

RBCT Annual Standard Donation

Many well desrving charties gathered at RBCT this month to be treated like royalty and honoured for the community work they undertake. Thank you RBCT for recognising the work we do, for applauding us all, for spoiling us to a divine morning at such a beautiful venue and last but not least for the financial support you provide to us all. We are blessed to know that you have seen the value in our endeavours and have partnered with us to achieve great goals. We commend you on giving back to your community. Together we bring about the transformation.of our future generations.

Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love. - Mother Theresa

James 1 v 27 ”Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Partnering with iKhaya

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child… If you feel called to partner with us through monthly financial contributions or goods we would love to hear from you, every gift is graciously received and meets a need. Please visit our webpage for further details: https://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za/get-involved/donate

We are also in need of professional to commit to regular volunteering to meet needs beyond just daily care. Teachers, Doctors, Psychologists, OT and Speech Therapists, Counsellors are some of the skills needed and we would love to partner with you. Maintenance is an ongoing process in any home. Imagine a home of about 35 people… from buildings to beds, bikes and toys, to equipment, it’s a never-ending story. So if you’re a handy man; you will be is “handy man heaven” here!

Please make contact with Loressa Kritzinger via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make enquiries. Thank you.

Dancing with Passion

Dancing is one of the kids’ favourite forms of exercise and physical fun times. Our German volunteers teach the children both ballet and hip hop much to the kids’ delight. We have a few kids showing some great talent in this area!

Perfect Beach Day!

Priska, Kathleen, Ursula and Kristin have such a heart and passion to spend quality time with our kids. They often go to the beach with the children and enjoy the delights of nature. Our local beach boasts lovely facilities for loads of fun and action!

Toddler Time

Our dedicated caregivers and live-in volunteers spend quality time with the babies and toddlers each day especially while the older kids go to school. Story time and teaching kids to love books from a young age is so important to the development of their imagination and language skills plus it’s a great bonding time. They also get to play with toys, blocks, lego, balls and so on as well as jump, climb, run, ride bike and swing outdoors... all learning activities done in the name of FUN!

Home Makeover

With the recent painting of the interior of all the homes the decorative painting needing recreating in bedrooms and our entrance hall. Thanks to our artistic and creative volunteers the end is in sight to this fulfilling project. The rewards are two fold, self gratification for the artist and a happy place for the kiddies which is the most important aspect and the ultimate goal. Adding these personalised touches creates a home atmosphere to iKhaya. We strive to meet every need of the children and this includes the need to feel wanted, cherished, part of a family unit and a sense of belonging. We believe that taking the time to care for the home sends a message of love and care to our children.

Out and About

I say this so often, but I could never say it enough… We are so privileged to be positioned just where we are! We have so much to be thankful for. Our property is exceptional and we get to enjoy countryside living just minutes from city life. We have close access to schools, parks, the library, museum, farms and the beach for many outings and loads of fun along with the great education our kids receive on our doorstep. We are truly blessed!

With love and greetings from Loressa and the team!

Luke 6:38 ”Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Partnering with iKhaya

We are thrilled when folk catch the heart our mission through partnerships with us to reach the goals we have to raise the children in our care as mighty men and women of God, completely whole and healed by Him. If you feel lead to partner with us financially through monthly contributions we would love to hear from you. If you feel your gift would be insignificant we remind you that every gift added together will ultimately meet the full need of the home. Please visit our webpage for further details: https://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za/get-involved/donate Teachers, Doctors, Psychologists, OT and Speech Therapists, Counsellors are some of the skills needed. So if you would like to serve in these areas we are always excited to hear from you!

Exploring

Exploring the outdoors is is a regular fun activity at iKhaya. The farms surrounding our property provide a great playground for walking, running, playing, a picnic or even a taste of sugar cane! Frequently getting out and about, some fresh air and exercise are the benefits of our country life style!

World Maths Day

World Maths Day in March was a treat as Air Products, who support our preschool, blew us away with amazing puzzles and maths related learning games and classroom aids.

Sacrifice of Love

Honest and Ellen are house parents to five iKhaya children plus two gorgeous daughters of their own, Rachel and Noleen. It is a sacrifice of love, to have given up their personal lives, space and family time, to dedicate themselves as parents to previously vulnerable children, as a calling by our Father God. Through their faithful serving and obedience they bring hope, love, joy and healing to the children placed in their care. We had the privilege of sharing Noleen’s first birthday with them this month. Look how beautiful she was all dolled up for her party! She was all smiles as she realised she was the centre of attention and reason for the celebrations.

Learning is Fun!

Education at iKhaya is a high priority and begins from birth, through baby stimulation time, and continues with toddler educational play time. From 3 to 5 years old our kiddies attend our very own preschool at iKhaya. Teacher Bronwyn exposes the kids to various in- and outdoor activities, life skills, games, sports and adventures. She prepares them well for their school readiness year, grade R.

Braai Time…

Some weekends our much appreciated German volunteers spend time with the children. They come up with such fab ideas to occupy their time with constructive activities. Here they are all wrapping dough on sticks to be “baked” over the bare flames. What an awesome learning time for the kids… and all in the name of fun!

Congratulations and Celebrations

March was a month of celebrations. We had the most amzing fun together at a number of parties. Thanks to Lafarge for treating our birthday kiddies to cakes for their special days. A special friend has partnered with us to give the kids each a gift of their very own choice. They are loving shopping for their gifts themselves. Such valuable life skills such as going to town, handling cash, budgeting and saving are all being taught through this process.

Easter Holidays 2018

Our first school term is already completed and the Easter break is behind us. This year is simply flying by! Once school is our the fun can begin… sleepovers and day trips make the holiday an adventure as the children make happy, lasting memories. We trust our efforts to make their daily lives happy and fun filled will form a part of the memories they will treasure from their childhood knowing we cared and loved from deep within our hearts.

For more news or information on our home and what it is we do at iKhaya, please visit our website http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. Feel welcome to contact us by telephone on 035-791 1116 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .