Psalm 68: 5 “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling”

LEAVING YOUR MARK

Jonas Brammer visited us from Germany for a month. His mornings were filled with painting iKhaya 3, demarcating our parking bays and spending many hours with the kids. In the afternoons he helped out at Crossroads Teen Centre in town. He was a hard worker and has left his touch here. Our cars all fit perfectly and neatly into the main parking lot now (what a pleasure!) and the iKhaya 3 home has a fresh new look. Thanks for your dedication, love and input into our home!

AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS

Mphatso Khuzwayo and NyJah Walters also came to us for a month. They needed to fulfill their internship for their final year in Child Development and Family Studies. Along with the Father’s heart for the children and a passion to be a vehicle of change in the lives of others and to be of service to the home they were a breath of fresh air to us all. These young ladies unhesitatingly got right in from the get go with painting iKhaya 3, interacting with the kids and staff and helping with the daily home chores. They loved unconditionally and have formed deep connections with us in their short stay. Their stay may have been brief but their impact will be lasting! Thanks for caring, loving and working at iKhaya- we are going to miss you dearly.
iKhaya 4 is growing in Leaps and Bounds…
The brickwork for the boundary pallasade fence is all done. The foundations are laid and ready for the floor slab work party on 4 June. This building is taking shape quickly and we anticipate completion in August 2016! To partner with us and to be a part of this amazing project please contact us. Whether it’s with your time, services or furniture you can help with we will be delighted to hear from you.

BEACH OUTING

Sarah, NyJah and Mphatso made a trip to Richards Bay with the younger kids. It may have been be too cold to brave a swim but there’s nothing wrong with a little warm sun, sand and romp along the shoreline to put a smile on a kids face! The beach is always a winner!

UNIZUL SCIENCE FESTIVAL

What a fun-filled morning. Our kids loved their time celebrating National Science Week at the Unizul Science Festival. The arts and crafts workshops, engaging science shows, Reptile displays and the many interactive exhibitions kept their little minds intrigued and their hands busy. Thanks for spoiling us again this year Unizul!

FACELIFT FOR IKHAYA 3

Jonas, Eugenie, Mphatso and NyJah worked as a team to paint iKhaya 3. It’s taken on a whole new look with the fresh tones. One thing I guarantee is that there was a lot of hard work but no shortage of fun to be had! A job well done. Thanks guys!

Saint Catherine’s Pre-School Fun Day
Another successful day hosted by St Catherine’s School. Thank you Debby Brink for inviting us to enjoy the most amazing morning at the Pre School. We had an action packed day filled with many huge smiles. Your love and support of our home is truly a blessing to us all.

SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE AT IKHAYA

With the building of iKhaya 4 on the sideline, international volunteers arriving and leaving, kids outings and activities and staff training we have been really busy this month. We lead full yet rewarding lives. Thanks to everyone who plays a part in making all this a reality.

To see our current needs list or where you can be of help to us, should you be inspired to do so, please visit our donations page

Please visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa

 If you have not yet done so, please share our page with your family and friends too.

Greetings and love
Loressa and Team

Isaiah 58:10-11 “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Visit by Empangeni High School, Land Service

An afternoon filled with FUN, LAUGHTER, BUBBLES, TREATS and loads of LOVE and ATTENTION! Our kids were in their elements as the young adults from Empangeni High School Land Service visited us to spend invaluable time with our children. Our prayer is that these young adults will have been touched in some way by sowing into the lives of others and thereby making a change in our world.
Love and quality time are two things that money can’t buy but have a lasting impact on other!
Thank you for the love you shared with us!

The Faces of Eugenie

Eugenie, from France, has been with us for a month and it will be sad to see her smiling face and happy disposition leave in May. She has slotted in and been a part of the family during her stay as a volunteer and has been a great help in many areas. Thanks for your love and may a piece of Africa and iKhaya remain in your heart forever.

The First Why Not Africa Work Party for iKhaya 4 on 9 April 2016

The kids were delighted and enthralled by the activities of the day…. A BIG truck, noisy chain saws and falling trees! Any boy’s delight! We cleared away the trees on the new building site and kept some on the sides which will provide shade for a lovely payground and picnic spot within the boundaries of the new home. We carted away about 6 tons of foliage and big branches. Definitely a morning well spent.

Earthworks underway for iKhaya 4!

Much has happenened on the iKhaya 4 building site in a mere 3 weeks. After the first Why Not Work Party on 9 April we have had the TLB in to level the platforms and modify the parking levels which are in front of the new site. Builders have dug the foundations and sand, stone, blocks and cement deliveries have been made to site.

Please join us when we lay the floorslab on 4th of June. Bring along your gloves, refreshments, sun protection and loads of sipirt to be a part of this great project. For details contact me on 035-7911116 or see the Facebook posts on iKhaya LikaBaba or Why Not Africa.

Fun, Sun and Sea with Jesse!

What a priviledge to share and celebrate Jesse’s 1st birthday with him at Pelican Island. The wind tried to spoil the day but there was just way too much fun to be had by all and there was no way the kids were going to leave without spending their pent up energy! We had a fabulous time together; thanks Molefe and Elinor for including us in Jesse’s special day and the milesone of your son’s 1st birthday.

The Great Outdoors

What a blessing to be situated on “farm land” where our kids can safely enjoy the outdoors. They thoroughly enjoy their walks and the fresh air and exercise does them a world of good.

Fire Engine, Sirens, Foam, Excitement!

Thanks to the Empangeni Fire Station for the time they took to invest in our safety by teaching our kids about fire and its dangers. The youngsters enjoyed the demonstrations on how the Jaws of Life, axe, extinguishers, hoses and other equipment is used and how the fire fighters dress in firefighting suits.

Our staff had a separate training session on fire prevention, awareness and how to react to a fire incident in the home so that everyone is kept safe and calm.

The Days of Our Lives….

Our children lead full lives with loads of fun and activities to keep them busy and stimulated. Here is a little insight into some of our day to day goings-on.
From all of us at iKhaya we say “Thank you” to everyone for your ongoing love, care and support of our home. Partnering with us makes what we do possible!

To see our current needs list or where you can be of help to us, should you be inspired to do so, please visit our website at http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za/get-involved/donate.
Please visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. If you have not yet done so, please share our page with your family and friends too.

With love
Loressa, caregivers and children

iKhaya LikaBaba Newsletter March 2016 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

Happy Easter 

After the Easter Church Service at Solid Ground Church on Sunday the kids returned home to find easter eggs hidden in the garden. The excitement in the air was tangible as they happily scurried about searching high and low for an abundance of chocolate! 

Boys will be boys! 

Our boys were treated to an outing to the Annual Felixton College Rugby Festival where they had a blast learning about boys sport in big school. Thanks to Bronwyn Mathias for organizing this and Wendy Oxley for joining in the fun. You ladies are a blessing and delight to us. 

Birthday Celebration Time! 

Thanks to the Zululand BWA and sponsor, ABI, for going all out to make Asanda, Sanele and Sphelele feel extra special as we celebrated their birthdays together. Asanda turned 7 years on 14 March, Sanele 4 years and Sphelele 6 years on 11 March. Happy birthday to you three! 

Fun and Sunshine with German Visitors 

Sarah Hinze, a German Volunteer, who has been at iKhaya since September 2015 was joined by her mother and two sisters. They came to see where she is staying and experience a taste of her life with us at iKhaya and that of the kids. They took the kids to the beach, much to their joy, for some fun in the sun! 

Empangeni Christian School Gala 

ECS held their gala at the Empangeni Municipal Pool on 17 March. We have 6 kids attending the school and who took part in the festivities and races. What a fun filled morning for the participants and for the younger iKhaya “siblings” who went along to watch and support their mates. 

Fun at Home 

Here’s pictures of some of the activities and goings-on, from our day to day lives here at home. There is certainly never a dull moment to be had! 

We are expanding….Why Not? 

There is a great need to reach and help the countless vulnerable children in our country. Our heart’s desire is to touch and change as many childrens’ lives as we possibly can. And so we have decided to build another home at iKhaya LikaBaba. Why Not Africa? have come on board to build the new home and we are extremely excited to have their support. They are starting with the preparations on Saturday 9th April by clearing the ground and removing any trees that are in the way. 

Why Not Africa? is a NPO volunteer organization, founded in 2004, based in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa committed to changing lives. 

The Why Not Mission: 

While an important focus so far has been providing shelter and facilities such as building orphanages, churches and community centers this is not the only areas where help is needed. 

Our hearts Our hearts desire is to also build life and practical skills, relationships, spiritual strength and ultimately hope in the communities and individuals we work with. Most of our support and activities are aimed at supporting and assisting other partner organizations with similar visions.. We're also a great bunch of volunteers (not limited to age or gender) who give of our skills, time, energy, and resources to build into the lives of others. We love to have fun,there's never a dull moment in between all the back breaking work! We have a heart to serve and ultimately build hope in the lives of those who need it most all for the glory of Gody centers this is not the only areas where help is needed. Our hearts desire is to also build life and practical skills, relationships, spiritual strength and ultimately hope in the communities and individuals we work with. Most of our support and activities are aimed at supporting and assisting other partner organizations with similar visions.. We're also a great bunch of volunteers (not limited to age or gender) who give of our skills, time, energy, and resources to build into the lives of others. We love to have fun,there's never a dull moment in between all the back breaking work! We have a heart to serve and ultimately build hope in the lives of those who need it most all for the glory of God. Desire is to also build life and practical skills, relationships, spiritual strength and ultimately hope in the communities and individuals we work with. Most of our support and activities are aimed at supporting and assisting other partner organisations with similar visions. We’re also a great bunch of volunteers (not limited to age or gender) who give of our skills, time, energy, and resources to build into the lives of 

others. We love to have fun, there’s never a dull moment in between all the back breaking work! We have a heart to serve and ultimately build hope in the lives of those who need it most all for the glory of God. 

On behalf of the children at iKhaya I say thank you for the part you all play in their daily lives. Everyone of you has an impact on the children and for that we are grateful! 

To see our current needs list or where you can be of help to us, should you be inspired to do so, please visit our website at http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za/get-involved/donate. 

Thank you to those who have already liked our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. If you have not yet done so, please feel free to visit, like and share our page with your family and friends. 

Greetings and love 

Loressa, staff and kids 

Psalm 127: 3-5 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

Happy Birthday Jabu!

Jabu celebrated her 9th birthday this month. She growing up into a fine young lady who works hard and with dedication at school and has a passion for reading! Happy birthday Jabs! We love you and are so proud of you! Thanks to the Zululand BWA and sponsors once again for making the day special and one to be remembered.

Fun, Sun, Sand and Sea

Plenty fun was had by the kids at Richards Bay beach with volunteers, Pauline, Sarah and Thabiso, and caregivers, Thembi and Ntombi. Thanks for making life amazing and eventful for the kids.

International Visitors

Pauline Joppich is volunteering at iKhaya for 11 months. She is a young German lady with a heart for kids. Her parents, Christian and Heike, visited this month and spent some quality time with the children. Christiaan and Heike treated the kids to face paints and their artistic flares turned our kids into attractive wild life animals! Helga Budal and her folks, Tormod and Jenny, are from Norway. They have a long history of volunteering at and contact with iKhaya. They came to visit us again- much to the delight of the caregivers and kids! We are blessed to be situated on farm land; so enjoying a countryside walk is always a great outdoor activity and to do this with visitors is always more exciting than usual!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for icecream! What a treat! Icecream makes for a delicious and messy outing!

Homework Centre
Our school children do homework together under the supervision of our house mother, volunteers and caregivers on a daily basis. Marg Helfrich is a huge help to us as she attends to the school kids reading with them every Monday and Wednesday. The kids love her as a granny figure too! Thanks Marg for your love and dedication!

School Readiness
We have 3 kids who will be ready for Grade R in 2017. Our German Volunteers spend one on one time with them to get them ready for school. Cutting, writing, speech and computers are all areas they cover to give them a good start to formal schooling.

Sarah and Pauline take the kids swimming regularly to get the small kids used to water and its big splashes and over the fear of water. The older kids are building in confidence and the practice is improving their swimming skills. While out the kids are being exposed to domestic pets and are loving interacting with them. Some of the younger kids are still fearful but we know that in time they will also play with the animals with much elation. Our lives are made fuller and richer by the involvement and contributions by many local and international folk and businesses who give of themselves, either in time, gifts or financially, towards our home. We are forever grateful that you see and hear the needs of the most vulnerable kids of our nation and are sowing into their lives. On behalf of the children in our care I would like to say thank you for the part you play in making their lives brighter and better, filled with love and happiness and opportunities for great education and health care. To see our needs list and where you can be of help to us, should you be inspired to do so, please visit our website at http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za/get-involved/donate. Thank you all who have liked our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. If you have not yet done so and are interested in receiving regular newsfeeds and being updated with our most pressing needs, please like our Facebook page too. Please feel free to share our pages with your friends. With love Loressa and the iKhaya team