Psalm 68: 5-6 “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”

Back to School 2017! 

We saw three of our lovely kids, Samuke, Khaya and Thabiso, start school for the very first time with the start of the new academic year in January. They were all so looking forward to their first day; which for them seemed to take forever to arrive! We now have a total of 12 kids in formal school out of a home of 20. This proves to be a logistical challenge on many levels. But we seem to keep abreast of the many teacher meetings, homework and school activities that require our attention. We are very proud of our little learners and will support and encourage them with prayer and our help so they can give of their very best!

Jabu Turns TEN!

Our precious Jabu turned 10 this month. We had an awesome time together with all the iKhaya kids and BWA Zululand. We really appreciate the generous heart of the BWA and are very thankful for the presents and the cake they brought giving Jabu the opportunity to celebrate her day with such love and blessings.

Boy Zone

Our in-house pre-school run by Bronwyn Mathias kicked off this month with four of our little boys. They always have an adventurous time learning and experiencing new things, all through lots creativity, love and effort from their teacher. For example, they had a taste sensory lesson, where they tasted different things blindfolded. This was extremely entertaining for the kids as well as their teacher! Of course, they have a lot of time to play too, and on some of our recent sweltering hot days, they had the opportunity to play outside in a tub of water, much to their delight.

Toddler Time 

Our two little toddlers are always up to explore something new, so this month they went to the beach for the first time. In the beginning, they were both a little bit hesitant to go venture into the water but our little Asibonge soon lost his fear and enjoyed the water, while our little girl, Thando, preferred to stay on the beach playing in the sand…every time a wave came to close she ran away.

Sleepover

Our German volunteers organised a sleepover for our kids during the holidays. The kids were very excited and they had a lot of fun playing games and watching the Jungle Book to end off the evening. They especially enjoyed the scene with the elephants and it was extremely comical to watch them all acting out the elephant parade singing and marching through the room. We thank Solid Ground Church for the use of their property which made this experience possible for our kids.

Fun, Sun, Sea!

The beach has to be the most favourite outing for all at iKhaya. Our eldest 5 kids, their house mom and our volunteers enjoyed a trip to Richards Bay recently. Much fun was had by all!

Furniture and Appliance Necessities 

We are expanding! Our new cluster home just needs a few bits and pieces to make it home to 5 more children. Should you have any in good condition used items that you are willing to donate to furnish the home please contact me, Loressa Kritzinger, on 035-791 1116. 

Please pray with us as we trust our Heavenly Father for the new house parents to be positioned with us.

Our requirements are: 

• Fridge 8 Seater Dining Room Set 
• Freezer 
• Chest of Drawers 
• Bookshelf 
• Washing Machine 
• 4 Single Bed Mattresses 
• Double Bed 
• Crockery and Cutlery 
• Plastic Ware 
• Pots and Pans

Partnering With iKhaya LikaBaba 

If you are interested in partnering with us please contact me by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , by telephone on 035-791 1116 or by visiting our website http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. 

We value every gift of time, money and goods that we are blessed with at iKhaya and we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for you and your kind-heartedness towards the work we are doing at iKhaya and for the children entrusted to our care. 

Please share our newsletter with your family and friends and ask them to like our Facebook Page to stay up-to-date with the goings on in our home and the lives of our kiddos. 

With love and blessings 

Psalm 9 v 10: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you”

Special Birthday Moments with BWA Zululand

Twins, Alpha and Omega, celebrated their 4th birthday while Bandile his 3rd in December. Once again this is made possible by the heart and commitment of the BWA members and sponsors who give so generously to make our youngsters feel loved, wanted and special. Thank you for your hearts of gold ladies, and gents, as you tirelessly and kindly arrange cakes and gifts for each and every child in our home to recognise their birthdays and to make them the centre of attention with party celebrations. 

Dance Academy Dance Showcase: Fantasyland

Loads of dedication, patience and talent by Kim van der Merwe are what make this show a success! Our kids get to enjoy the fun, excitement and the adrenalin rush as they reap the rewards of their hard work during the year when they finally enter the stage adorned with glitz and glamour. All the dancers performed with delight and pride to make the evening an enormous accomplishment. Kim we appreciate you and the input you have invested in our kids’ lives! Thank you!

Holidays @ Home

Our lives are busier than ever in December! We prepare stationery and uniforms for the following school year while running a holiday program. We prepare arts and crafts, outings and indoor and outdoor games to keep the children busy, occupied, entertained, stimulated and out of mischief. We rely on many teenaged volunteers in order to run the holiday program and without their help our job would be near impossible. Thanks to each and every one of you for giving of your time to make our work possible.

Visiting R&B Ranch

One of our favourite outings is to the farm to spend some energy, get fresh air and exposure to animals. On this occasion our school going children enjoyed the adventure of exploring the dam and reservoir, time with the dogs and horses and a lovely long walk and picnic.

Vela’s Memorial

Vela was an unwell little might who was loved dearly by his friends, carers, volunteers and the staff at iKhaya. He spent a year with us at iKhaya and shared the best of his life with us before his fatal seizure earlier this month. With the improvement in his quality of life here at iKhaya he grew and developed from not eating any solids, not walking or talking to running, smiling, interacting with others, eating a full diet and even a vocab of around 50 words. He was a delightful young lad who has left a void in our home and our hearts. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Rest in peace in Your Father’s Arms, run freely, laugh heartily and never stop chatting as you spend eternity with Him.

Blessed By Our Awesome Community

Our children once again received Christmas gifts from the Santa Shoebox Project as well as enjoyed a parties arranged by local community members. It’s heartwarming to be a part of a community that cares for the less fortunate and who catch the heart of what we do at iKhaya. Visit http://santashoebox.org.za to find out more about the Santa Shoebox initiative, how they started and how you can get involved.

Furniture and Appliance Necessities

We recently built a new cluster home to expand our numbers. This will see space for 5 more children in our home. Should you have previously loved and in good condition items that you are willing to donate to furnish the home please contact me, Loressa Kritzinger, at the office. Please pray with us as we trust our Heavenly Father for the new house parents to be positioned with us.

Our requirements are:

• Fridge
• 8 Seater Dining Room Set
• Freezer
• Chest of Drawers
• Bookshelf
• Washing Machine
• 4 Single Bed Mattresses
• Double Bed
• Crockery and Cutlery
• Plastic Ware
• Pots and Pans

Partnering With iKhaya LikaBaba

If you are interested in partnering with us please contact me by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , by telephone on 035-791 1116 or by visiting our website http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/.

To all who already commit themselves, their time, finances and resources to making our home run smoothly and with all our kids needs met, we say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. We love and appreciate you!

Please share our newsletter with your family and friends and ask them to like our Facebook Page to stay up-to-date with the goings on in our home and the lives of our kiddos.

With love in Jesus

Loressa Kritzinger Coordinator

Psalm 127 v 3: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him”

Birthday Bliss and Fond Farewell

Nokubonga spent the 1st year of her life with us at iKhaya. She is the most lovable and calm baby any mom could wish for. We enjoyed her immensely as she brought mush happiness to our home. She was placed with her new adoptive family this month just before her 1st birthday and returned to celebrate her special day with us. What a joy it was for us to enjoy her and share this moment with her and her parents.

We were delighted to bid her farewell into the next season of her life with her new folks who treasure and adore her. Thank you Nardus and Adelie for providing our baby girl with a family and home, to grow up in with a sense of belonging and much love.

Our Gift

We are thrilled to have another baby! Just a week old on admission and growing well and getting so big and alert so fast. Our first week was rather chaotic as we strived to establish a feeding and sleeping pattern. But we have won and now have a calm, well fed charming bundle of joy in our home!

Birthday Celebrations! 

Njabulo turned 6 and twins Ryan and Rihanah 8 years this month. Thanks once again to BWA Zululand and their sponsors for treating the birthday kids to cakes and awesome gifts. The joy this gesture brings is truly visible on their faces!

Days of Our Lives…

There is never a dull moment at iKhaya. We ensure that our children receive plenty stimulation and attention through various activities. From outdoor games, playdough, arts and crafts, dressing up times and playing with toys they kids get exposure to life’s lessons on respecting authority, sharing and playing nicely with friends. They get plenty fresh air and exercise in the process. Learning must be fun!

Dance Academy

The dance year is drawing to an end and the excitement is brewing as the kids get ready for the year end show “Fantasyland” in December. We have 6 school going children who attend classes twice a week with Dance Academy in Empangeni. Besides the great fun and exercise they receive, our kids get to socialize with others, learn to be a part of a team and experience the discipline of dance.

Community Support

We are part of a generous and loving local community. We were treated to lunch, gifts and parties this month by both private families and Air Products. Thanks to everyone who supports us with clothing donations, groceries, nappies and spoils for our kids. Partnering with us makes what we do so much easier!

Moms and Tots

Elinor started a lovely group for moms and tots to mingle and play in a safe environment. Our littlies were invited to join in and play too. The group meets on a Thursday afternoon at Solid Ground Church if you are interested in coming along. Just drop me a line for details.

Furniture and Appliances Needs at iKhaya

Your used, in good condition household items, that you may be ready to part with, will be most useful and welcome in our homes. We currently have the need for the following:

• Fridge
• 8 Seater
• Dining Room Set
• Freezer
• Chest of Drawers
• Bookshelf
• Washing Machine
• 4 Single Bed Mattresses
• Double Bed
• Crockery and Cutlery
• Plastic Ware

If you are able to assist with any of these items please contact me on 035-7911116 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you are keen to partner with us please contact me by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , by telephone on 035-791 1116 or by visiting our website http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/. Thank you to all who get involved and help us at iKhaya. We are most grateful for your time, energy and gifts given to us and our kids. Please share our news with your family and friends and ask them to like our Facebook Page to stay abreast of our news.

With much love Loressa and Team

John 13 v 34: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”

iKhaya LikaBaba Preschool Outing

What a full day…Horse riding, a picnic, playing with baby goats and running about getting plenty fresh air at R & B Ranch. Our youngsters love to go in the car let alone to the farm! They had the time of their lives. Thanks again Robyn for opening up your “home” to our Grade RRR and RR class and for allowing our kids the chance to experience such excursions. We love to give them the opportunity to mingle with animals and we especially love to watch some overcome their fear of animals too. Omega used to be utterly petrified of any moving creature and has slowly over time overcome this fear and he was delighted to enjoy his first horse ride “fearlessly”. We are proud of you Omega!

Baking up a storm!

Oluhle was the proud Grade R Baker for Baker Day at school. We encourage the kids to be involved in making treats for their day. This gives them a sense of achievement, responsibility and an opportunity to learn some culinary skills. Look at how colourful and delicious her cakes turned out. Well done Oli!

Perfect Beach Weather

Sarah and Jenny, our German volunteers, took our older school kids, and House Mom Ellen, for some fun, sun, and sea. This is always a hit for our kids!

Play Time is Fun Time…

Kids learn and mature in self-esteem with attention and lots of stimulation. Playing with adult involvement is a great way for kids to gain self-confidence and to develop social skills. Physical exercise builds core strength for good posture at school and the interaction with their playmates teaches them to share, help one another while learning good social and problem-solving skills. Who said learning can’t be fun?

Hluhluwe Game Reserve Visit

It was with great excitement and much anticipation that the German volunteers visited our local Game Park this month. To see wild animals roaming free as opposed to in a zoo was a refreshing experience for them. The weather was cool so we were privileged to see many zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino, impala, warthog, buffalo, wildebeest and various bird life throughout the day.  

Save the Rhino Walk

St Catherine’s School in Empangeni holds an annual fund-raiser in support of saving our rhinos. Add a touch of colour and everyone has a blast! A few of our school kids enjoyed the event again this year along with Jenny and Sarah.

We Have Taken Occupation

Our new home, iKhaya 4, has turned out so beautifully and has been furnished mostly with the donations from our faithful supporters and community who have caught the heart of what we do to raise the kiddies in our care. The children absolutely love their new bedrooms and home and have settled in well.

Thanks to everyone who made this project a reality for us. From work parties to clear trees, throw the floor slab and painting the entire home to builders and contractors going the extra mile, we stand in awe at how this project flowed smoothly and turned out so well. We love and appreciate you all.

I can truly say I am blessed to be a part of God’s work in this place and to witness His daily provision.

Furniture and appliances needed at iKhaya 

Your used, in good condition household items, that you may be ready to part with, will be most useful and welcome in our homes. 

We currently have the need for the following:

• Fridge
• 8 Seater Dining Room set 
• Freezer
• Chest of Drawers 
• Bookshelf
• Washing Machine
• 4 Single Bed Mattresses
• Double Bed
• Crockery and Cutlery
• Plastic Ware 

If you are able to assist with any of these items please contact me on 035-7911116 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Market Day at Solid Ground Church

iKhaya is a mission birthed out of the Solid Ground Church and is run and supported by both church leaders and members. Solid Ground held a very successful Market Day with proceeds going towards iKhaya. Thank you to the many visitors, stall holders and organisers who joined us on this day. Not only were we blessed with a sunny day but loads of great food and plenty activity to occupy the young and old alike.

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and stay in contact with us. For more info on our home and what we do or how you can partner with us please contact me by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , by telephone on 035-791 1116 or by visiting our website http://www.ikhayalikababa.co.za or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ikhayalikababa/

Please share our news with your family and friends and ask them to like our Facebook Page to stay abreast of our news.

Newsletter October 2016