Khaya Centre opens in the city
01-12-2014
Khaya Centre, sanctuary to hundreds of children batting poverty, abuse and disease at Lehae – the City of Johannesburg’s mixed housing development in the south – was officially opened at the weekend.
The drop-in daycare centre, which first opened its doors in an RDP house in 2007, is run by Valencia Kock and supported by the Gauteng Department of Social Development. The number of children being cared for at the centre – most of them Aids orphans – has risen from 200 a few years ago to 550 today.
The centre was officially opened amid much fun-fare, punctuated by song, dance and loud cheers.
The refurbished and well-resourced facility houses a number of income-generating initiatives, including a bakery and a sewing project to empower the elderly and caregivers who take care of the Aids orphans.
A clinic has been added to offer HIV-Aids treatment and testing. A computer centre with 10 new computers will help train at least 30 older children in new skills.
Chriselda Kananda, a well-known Aids activist and the day’s programme director, said the centre was proof of how partnerships, compassion and hard work could be used to uplift a community whose vulnerable women and children bore the brunt of violence, neglect and the ravages of poverty and disease.
Kock quit her high-paying job in 2006 as the national administrative coordinator for Baroque Medical Company to respond to the growing number of Aids orphans and children infected and affected by HIV-Aids.
With the help of 45 staff members and volunteers, Kock takes care of the children, nurtures them and makes sure they have enough to eat. The centre prepares three meals a day – breakfast, lunch and takeaway dinner.
The Early Childhood Development section caters for 65 toddlers. The number is expected to increase to 100 in the New Year.
“Our donors have been amazing, without them we would not be able to do all this work,” said Kock.
On Friday, a tearful and overwhelmed Kock thanked the community and local and international donors for their continued support.
“I’m humbled with all that has happened today. It’s been an amazing journey since we started this centre. I have seen so many things – both sad and happy – but the last six months have been exhilarating,” said Kock.
Sjoerd Douwenga, a representative of donors Metair, said he was “overwhelmed with joy” and “extremely impressed with the centre”.
“The love you [Kock] show for this community is amazing. I am astounded by the impact you have on this community. I hope our contribution will help,” Douwenga said.
Rene Hartman, founder and chairman of Holland-based OP Stap Foundation, said Kock’s vision was “a small step for humankind and a huge step for this community”.
He said Orange Babies SA and Holland were very proud to be part of the project.
“This is a beautiful place where children are safe. The community has done a tremendous job in supporting this venture.”
Members of the community are elated with the new centre.
Christine Matlala said her five-year-old attended the crèche while the six-year-old was in aftercare. Both children benefited from the feeding scheme – three meals a day.
“The centre is very helpful, especially now with the new clinic and trauma centre. There was no clinic or police station here. We had to travel to Lenasia for services,” Matlala said.