Human Right 25: Food and Shelter for All. Human Right 26: The Right to Education.
In
support of Human Right 25 and 26 I would like to introduce you to my friend, Kate
Bain - Founding Manager of Izulu Orphan Projects (IOP), a Non-Profit
Organization that educates, feeds and supports 1700 rural South African
orphans, as well as the children of HIV+ widows.
I
met Kate in London in 1998 and had an honor to celebrate Christmas season with
her and her family in South Africa upon her final return.
All information about IOP comes from IOP website
History:
Izulu
Orphan Projects was founded in 2006 by Chadd, Kate and Shelley Bain, the aim of
IOP is to school, feed and clothe as many orphan children as possible, starting
in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, and to positively impact the locals by offering
them firstly education, and then healthy meals coupled with family social
support.
Chadd’s
vision
A
clear word and vision from the Lord brought Chadd back to South Africa in the
year 2000, after two years of adventure in the UK.
He
felt a calling to work amongst the people where he had grown up the Mevamhlope
and surrounding areas of Kwa Zulu Natal.
In
2001, Chadd became involved with an orphanage called 'Nkosinathi' through
building, providing beds and blankets, and organised food donations on a
regular basis. He also taught the residents to grow vegetables so they would
become self-sufficient.
In
late 2002 Chadd met Kate, and they married in September 2004.
The
first IOP Orphan Christmas party was held in 2002 with a small group of just 80
orphans attending. By the following year, they had 150 children registered, and
they educated 17 of them the following year. IOP was officially born in 2006,
and the numbers have increased steadily over the years. Tragically Chadd was
involved in a fatal accident in December 2009 - but his vision continues through
Kate and the team, who feel called to ‘help widows and orphans in their
distress’ (James 1:27)
Today
IOP takes care of 2435 orphans and widows in 737 households.
Programs:
Education Programme
Izulu
Orphan Projects’ primary focus is education. Once the orphans are registered,
the criteria for our ongoing support are their continued commitment to their
education, as well as maintaining a regular relationship with our support
staff.
Sinqobile's Story
Sinqobile (19) lives with
her grandmother, younger brother and two other orphans in rural Mevamhlope. The
family survives on R1,600 ($135) per month (R meaning South African Rand.) Her
mother died in 2002 and her father in unknown. Sinqobile’s school reports were
outstanding and IOP obtained a full bursary to a local private school, as well
as her tertiary education for a BSC in Accounting in 2014. She continues
to be supported by IOP financially, and is a shining example of what a young
rural child with little to no future prospects can achieve with the right
mentorship and guidance.
IOP
has a mutually beneficial relationship with the heads and teachers at the 68
rural schools IOP orphans attend. IOP representatives visit these schools to
follow-up attendance and receive regular feedback from the teachers of 900
school-going orphans on the IOP system.
IOP
is annually committed to:
- The purchasing and distribution of school uniforms and essential school stationary,
- The payment of crèche, primary and high school fees, as well as bursary and funding application assistance,
- Teacher training and guidance,
- Providing finance for educational tours and extra-mural activities.
Early Childhood
Development
IOP
primary objective is to develop the whole child – cognitively, intelligently,
socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually - from birth to six years of
age.
The
Izulu Orphan Projects (IOP) Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme was
formed in 2011 to provide education opportunities for vulnerable, poor and
disadvantaged rural children.
Feeding Program
IOP
Feeding program provides for families with an income of less than R1,500 per
month ($120) through a daily hot meal kitchen, as well as a monthly food parcel
distribution programme for no less than 220 rural impoverished families.
Safe House
The
IOP Safe House is a 24hr haven for rural and impoverished victims of domestic
violence, abandonment, crisis and disaster.
Situated
within the secure confines of Ngqamuzane Support Centre, it is an interim place
of safety where community members are offered medical assistance, social
support and mentorship through the various – and often daunting - criminal or
welfare system.
Separate
male and female rooms with lodging for six boys and six girls, a laundry,
lounge area, books and toys, and healthy meals from the IOP Feeding Programme
will ensure these young children or abused women – often traumatized by their
experience – are offered comfort, safety and shelter while IOP support staff
work with social workers and police on behalf of the victims.
Orphan Christmas Party
The
Izulu Orphan Projects annual Orphan Christmas Party is the highlight of the
year for around 3000 of IOP beneficiaries.
Each
year IOP commit to provide a new toy, school stationary packs, a Christmas
service and nativity play, and a healthy lunch to IOP children and their
devoted carers. For many, this is the only celebration they will have for the
year. Spreading Christmas cheer is fantastic for hundreds of volunteers who
attend to assist in making this mammoth task a reality - but the underlying
purpose of this special event is to: Teach the real meaning of Christmas,
(Christian Ministry) Raising the funds to purchase approximately 450 school
uniforms which are distributed in early January (Annual uniform budget: R120
000 = $9.637) Process the latest school reports of our primary and high school
students. This data is inputted into IOP system so that the records for each
child are up to date.
How
can you help?
IOP
receives NO government support, and continues to feed, clothe and educate
around 1750 rural HIV/Aids orphans and their carers. IOP relys wholly on the
kindness of individual donations to continue this life-changing work.
If you consider a donation go to
Or email
for further information on how you can assist in one
of IOP programmes.
Address:
Portion 19 of Riverview, Lot 11459
Lower Umfolozi
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Tel. +27 83 649 9990
Fax +27 86 551 1246
IOP website
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