Established in 2002 in partnership with the Durban Children's Society as a meaningful and holistic response to the plight of these children, Thokomala provides a number of community family homes, each housing six children, cared for by a foster mother.

As at July 2008, Thokomala operates 14 homes, directly supporting 84 children. A further 50 to 300 orphaned and vulnerable children in the community surrounding each Thokomala home are indirectly supported through the organisation's association with the local children's NGO.

The story of Thokomala is the story of how children orphaned by the HIV and AIDS pandemic are given a second chance to grow and reach their true potential. Its approach is holistic in that it not only provides shelter, food and care but also the love and nurturing of a normal family environment essential to raise children so they become healthy and emotionally sound adults.

Placement of orphans in their community of origin ensures that they do not lose touch with their roots and the support systems familiar to them. Thokomala sets up houses which become homes to six children (preferably sibling groups) and a loving foster mother. Thokomala is designed to personalise and not to institutionalise these children!

However, Thokomala homes are not just islands of excellence: its outreach programme ensures social welfare and care to children and families in the community surrounding the home - support where some form of family care still exists.

There are three parts to Thokomala's programme:

1. The Core: community-family home:
Six orphaned children without any extended family available or willing to foster them are placed in a home and cared for by a foster mother. A relief mother is also provided.

2. The Outreach: foster/adoptive care cluster:
Families in the area where the community home is set up are encouraged to foster orphaned children and are supported by the local Child Welfare Society.

3. Community and volunteer supported programmes:
Volunteers are actively involved in identifying needy children, maintaining and equipping the homes, running support groups and raising funds. They also play an important social role by taking children on outings during school holidays and organising birthday and Christmas parties. An "uplift programme" is in place to prepare teenage children for life "beyond the home". Mentors guide the older children and help them to make choices with regards to further education, professional courses and earning a living. The aim is to plant "dreams" so they have a reason to excel in school, develop hobbies and strive for a bright future. The Dow Education Fund for Thokomala provides the youngsters with the financial means to pursue tertiary education of any kind: university, courses, internships, et cetera.

The organisation plans to set up 15 more homes over the next four years by extending its donor base, identifying and working with existing and new organisations to share resources and capacity and to improve the employee value proposition for partner companies by providing volunteerism opportunities (financial and time). The cost per home (capital expenditure and operational cost) over five years is approximately R2-million. Running costs per year amount to about R230 000.

Thokomala also strives to enhance the potential of each individual it touches: the children, in homes and communities; house moms; social workers; and community volunteers. That means making good use of and growing Thokomala's education fund and implementing career and enterprise development opportunities.

For more information, visit the Thokomala website.

Mission

We provide a holistic solution to positively impact the lives of children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS so that they are able to occupy their rightful place in society.

This is achieved by providing a unique, independent and professionally managed orphan care programme leveraging partnerships with community organisations, government, donors and donor organisations.

Vision

To be recognised as the best orphan care programme through which children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

To serve the children directly in the Thokomala homes and the children indirectly in the respective Thokomala communities by providing them with a normal home environment and the best possible quality care to ensure a better future.

To grow our network of homes and the children that we reach by securing a sustainable income and leveraging our partnerships to maximise our local, regional and continental reach.

To deliver a unique orphan care programme that practises good governance, transparency and integrity in all of its dealings - and therefore is credible and attractive for donors and provides them with reputation-building opportunities.

Governance

The Thokomala Orphan Care Organisation is an independent, section 21 non-profit organisation. It is exempt from taxes and duties by the South African Revenue Services. The Income Tax Ref No is 9059/199/17/5 and the NPO number is 050-974-NPO.

To qualify for points on the BBBEE score card (codes of good practice: Code 700: Socio-economic development) donations need to amount to one percent of NPAT or 0,125 percent of turnover to receive full points.

Thokomala has an independent board of trustees and is managed by a full-time manager. Contact details are: Antje Hockly, manager - postal address: PO Box 1091, Durban 4000, RSA; courier address: Unilever SA Head Office, 15 Nollsworth Crescent, La Lucia Ridge 4051; phone: +27 (0) 31 570 2013; fax: +27 (0) 31 570 3481; cell: +27 (0) 82 499 8642; or click here to visit the Thokomala website.