Luke 6 v 38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Local Business Support

Power Spar in Empangeni assists us with cleaning materials, food and groceries on an ongoing basis. What a priviledge it was to have them visit our home. Anthony, Dean and staff you have hearts of gold. Your generosity is far reaching and your giving spirit is is a rare quality that many charities in our community have come to know and benefit from.

We also want to thank everyone who assists us at iKhaya. There are many businesses and community members who give us discounts, free services, goods and time. You may think that your small contribution is too little to make a difference but it’s not! All the littles add up and makes a BIG change. Your generosity makes the home of our kids a happier, healthier and safer place and assists us in meeting their every need. Thank you from all of us at iKhaya!

Mandela Day

18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday, has been declared Nelson Mandela International Day. South Africans embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life and to heed the call to action. People recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them on and around this day. Global change begins with small actions that gain momentum to make a difference beyond one individual’s reach. To commemorate Mandela Day Premier Foods, Umhlatuze Pharmacy (Central Park Branch) and Spar, GAC Shipping and DA Ward 23 Empangeni visited us on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July. We were blessed with awesome ruck sacks, food and groceries, blankets and nappies and other gifts for our kids. We were all treated to lovely meals and some pampering for the staff. Thanks for making our days brighter and better!

Holiday Fun

To keep our kids busy and stimulated during the mid-year holiday we planned some activities and crafts to occupy their hands and minds. Take a look at some of the things they got up to…

Jabu our star achiever

Jabu is producing awesome results at school and came home with her second Grade 3 school report having achieved an A average. We are super proud of Jabu and the effort and heart that she has towards her school work. To reward her for her outstanding grades and her conscientiousness we took her shopping to buy herself a book as a reward. She was so chuffed at the opportunity to choose what she wanted! The staff at Bargain Books were so touched that they too gave her a second item free! Thank you Bargain Books for your kindness and care you made her day extra special!

Dancing

Kim van der Merwe offers our kiddies a great opportunity to enjoy fun physical stimulation through dance. They join her classes at the Empangeni Moth Hall once a week and they enjoy both the outing and dance class immensely.

AWOL

AWOL (A Work Of Love) is an annual event where approximately 200 school going teenagers camp in Empangeni. The teens come together and build relationships as well as receive practical and spiritual input that equips them for life. They also share God's love in the community of Empangeni, Richards Bay and surrounding areas by tackling various projects or outreaches that are organized and run by the local churches – a work of love. iKhaya was privileged to have some awesome teens “work” at our home again this year. Our sand pit was rather lean on its fill and our jungle gyms were thirsty for a good sun protection treatment. The teens worked together to finish the projects as a team and with pride. A job well done! They also had the opportunity to mingle and play with the kids. While the teens were hard at work, Sue and Leah Bernon entertained the kids with some baking. A yummy affair! From the mouths of babes… Pascal is now 3 months old and has really got big. I jokingly announced to the kids that he is sooo big now he wants to play soccer and kick the ball with them. I was promptly asked to show them that he could stand! I thought I best let the kids know I was joking before we have an accident with them trying to take Pascal out to really kick a ball! After laying Pascal down he started to cry. Thabiso asked why he was crying and I whispered that I think he is sad because I said he was still small. Thabiso whispered back to Pascal, “Don’t cry you aren’t small!” Thanks to everyone who contributes in some way at iKhaya, whether it’s your time, gifts or services we appreciate you all! Please keep in touch with us via email or our Facebook Page. With love and blessings Loressa Neale Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in iKhaya LikaBaba and for taking the time to visit this site. Should you wish to partner with us in any way please visit the “Get Involved” page.

James 1:27 (NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

St Catherine’s School

St Catherine’s Preschool hosted an open day on Saturday 30 May 2015. It was a day jam- packed with activities that included face painting, crafts, animal petting, pony rides, magic show, and more! Thank you to Debby Brink, Preschool HOD, for your generous support in having our kids join the fun day… thay had a blast!

LIV Village

A group of iKhaya ladies made a trip to join in the festivities at LIV Village 5 year celebrations. We attended the Missions Conference, Village Tour and Worship Evening on Friday 5 June. We ended off with the Women of Worth Lavish Tea on Sat morning. We heard from an array of powerful, passionate, God Fearing Christian guest speakers on both days. They were awe inspiring to say the least. Its eye opening and heart stretching to see how God can use ordinary men and women, like you and me, to do His work, taking it to the Nth degree!

Volunteers

Helga Budal, from Norway, is back for 2 months! Hearing and acting on the call of God to make another trip to iKhaya has been a huge blessing to us. Thank you for your faithfulness!
We have a need for a passionate Christian, English speaking Preschool Teacher to volunteer at iKhaya. Should you hear the call of God on your life and feel that iKhaya is where you should be then we would love to hear from you.

Farewell

Our current German volunteers have faithfully served for 10 months at iKhaya. Sadly their time with us is drawing to a close and we say goodbye until we meet again. Thank you Salome, Rahel and Aline for giving your time, love and dedication to making the lives of the children richer! You have made an impact and a piece of you will live in their hearts forever. We will miss your friendly smiles and the help you have been to us as staff.
From Left to right: Salome Zöller, Rahel Stӓbler, Loressa Neale, Aline Klinger

School Activities

Ryan was Baker at School at the end of May. He was so delighted and his face shows it too.
The Grade R class at Empangeni Christian School had a pyjama day at school early this month. They arrived wearing their pj’s, armed with towels, toothbrushes and clothes for the day. They had a lesson on getting ready in the mornings and shared breakfast together at school. They thought this was the best day ever!! Thanks to the teachers for always making school interesting and exciting for our kids!

Winter Warmth

Thank you BWA Zululand for embroidering each child’s name onto blankets for them just in time for winter. What a treat and blessing they are.

Baby Sarah

It’s with a sad and broken heart that I let you know that Baby Sarah, who so crept into our hearts and lives, has passed away. She was admitted into hospital with pneumonia but unfortunately she did not respond to the treatment given. I know many of you have given generously to make her life with us happy and comfortable. This, together with our passionate love and care, gave her the best two months any child could wish for! We will miss you more than words can express but we find peace in knowing that you rest in Jesus’ arms now, sweet baby girl, at home with our Heavenly Father.

From the mouths of babes…

Kaylee, my daughter, says, “Mom I have a new name for iKhaya…Awesomage!” This went straight over my head so I asked why? She promptly explains, “You know…awesome and the kids are awesome!”

Thank you to all who contribute to the lives of our kids at iKhaya. Please keep in touch with us via email or our Facebook Page.
Much love
Loressa Neale
Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in iKhaya LikaBaba and for taking the time to visit this site. Should you wish to partner with us in any way please visit the “Get Involved” page.

Luke 18 v 15- 17 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Breaking News

iKhaya LikaBaba was registered to care for 20 children as from 31 March 2015. In April we made history when we admitted a child that brought our numbers to 16… a milestone we had never reached before.

We are now full to capacity as I write this letter!! What a delight it’s been to welcome the new kids into our home. We thank God for His unfailing love and that He is entrusting these little lives into our care.

 
Community Support

With the admission of 2 newborn babies this month, one being just under 2kg, we were faced with the need of premmie baby clothing and a car seat. We appealed to the community for help and we were showered with both hand-me-downs and new clothes, a pram and 2 car seats, nappies and other goodies for our babies. We also had a need for a bunk bed for our boys’ bedroom as we anticipated the arrival of the twin boys. Even this was donated by a local family. We stand in awe at the generous hearts of our community. Thank you to you all! Please feel free to contact me should you wish to support us in a practical way.

International Volunteers

We currently have 3 young German ladies volunteering at Ikhaya. We have a cottage on the property that they call home for the duration of their stay. They are a tremendous joy and help to us all. They love the kids and spend many quality hours with them. They get involved with all day to day activities from transporting kids, going on outings, shopping and general errands, stocking the kitchen cupboards, sorting kids’ clothes and so on. Ryan and Rihanah, twins at iKhaya, enjoyed St Lucia with Rahel and Salome for some weekend pleasure and relaxing recently.

Volunteer Pre School Teacher Required

Running a home of 20 kids requires a team including a Social Worker, 7 Caregivers rotating 2 per shift to cover 24 hour care, a house mother, a domestic worker and administrative staff. We have 2 vehicles to transport kids to and from school, the clinic and doctor appointments, sport fixtures and outings, grocery shopping, chemist etc. There is never a dull moment here as we have 7 school going kids that require homework supervision daily, 3 babies and 10 kids attending our in-house preschool program run by the same caregivers caring for the babies and preparing meals and daily care for all the kids. My heart’s desire would be to have a teacher heading up our ECD program/ Pre School. Finances unfortunately do not allow for the employment of a teacher and so I appeal far and wide for a Christian Volunteer, who hears the call of God to serve, to contact us. Otherwise is your heart is stirred to financially support our home please deposit to:

iKhaya LikaBaba, Nedbank, Current Account 1303124955, Code 198 765.

Outings

Our kids loved the snakes, baby crocs and the learning time at the Science Festival, a sponsored day of great fun by The Unizulu Science Centre. 

The kids enjoyed some fun in the bubbles, the jumping castle and games at the St Catherine’s School Zululand Oddball Olympics. Thanks for inviting us to a sponsored day of great activity!

School Achievements

Our school going kids are doing so well and making us very proud! Jabu in grade 3 achieved a Term average of 81%! She is an avid reader and loves the school library. Nomonde, Asanda and Ryan all in Grade R have received the Timothy Trophy so far this year. Teacher Cecile said the award is for good behavior for 2 weeks and is related to Timothy in the bible who honoured God when he was very young.

From the mouths of babes…

Asanda aged 6 years excitedly announced to Mkhulu (Grandpa Len) that we had a new baby. He added, “She’s very tiny…but she’s real!” Ryan asked if the baby can open her eyes and whether she could see. I took a photo of her with eyes wide open and showed Ryan, to which he remarked, “Oh, she’s got scary eyes!” Thank you for your support and care. Please keep in touch with us via email or our Facebook Page.

With Love
Loressa Neale
Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in iKhaya LikaBaba and for taking the time to visit this site. Should you wish to partner with us in any way please visit the “Get Involved” page.

Matthew 6 v 25-26 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 

I asked God to meet certain needs at iKhaya and this month I have been overwhelmed by His provision that I was brought to tears… a few times! When I reflect on just how blessed we are, I am brought to my knees and humbled by His hand over us. We serve a mighty King and He takes care of our every need. 

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every person who gives so willingly and selflessly into the lives of our kids. Be it repairs to bicycles, home maintenance, quality time with the kids, providing clothing or treats, medical treatments, shopping or general day to day hands on help, the list is endless, and every effort is appreciated and noticed not just by us but by our Heavenly Father too.

Welcome to Daniel!!!

Daniel is a delightful little lad who arrived from Destiny House to live here with us. He has settled in beautifully with his house mom and dad, Ellen and Honest, and the house family. This brings the number of iKhaya kids to 5, the maximum in iKhaya 3. The good news is that there is a prospective adoptive family in our area for Daniel and we look forward to seeing their relationship blossom.

Birthdays

We celebrated 2 kids’ birthdays in April. Lwandile turned 2 and Daniel 3 years old. Thanks to BWA Zululand, our kids get spoilt with a birthday cake and a gift for their birthday and we are able to celebrate their birthdays together with a small party.

Outings

To kick start the April school holidays our school going kids visited R&B Ranch, just outside Empangeni. They enjoyed horse rides, a picnic lunch and loads of play time together outdoors. The kids have also enjoyed some FUN, SUN and SEA again this month with a trip to Alkanstrand and to KZN Wildlife in Mtunzini.

Campout Party

Bryce chose to celebrate her 12th birthday with the kids of iKhaya. We had a sleepover birthday party at the Youth Hall at Solid Ground Church. Despite the adrenalin rush keeping the kiddies awake beyond lights out; great fun was had by all!

Out of the mouths of babes…

Thabiso is just 3 years old but is bright and never misses a beat! He came to me to report that they (the kids) don’t like it when Patience (a Caregiver) is on duty as she is mean to them especially at night. I decided to probe for further information and asked why. He promptly advised that, “she is mean because she cooks gem squash; AND makes us eat it!”

Thank you for your support and care. Please keep in touch through us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or our Facebook Page.

With Love

Loressa Neale

Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in iKhaya LikaBaba and for taking the time to visit this site. Should you wish to partner with us in any way please visit the “Get Involved” page.