home > where we help > children we help





South Africa has now experienced a decade of democracy and freedom since the end of apartheid. Improvements have been made in the provision of basic services, such as housing, water and sanitation, but economic inequality remains an overwhelming problem with over 57% of black South Africans living below the poverty line.

However, the single most important crisis facing the country is the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

HIV/AIDS has crippled an already desperate situation and by 2010 it is predicted that there will be 20 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa as a result of it.


 

 

 
For the past two years Maria from Temba in South Africa spent her days on the local dump recycling tin cans to support her 11 orphaned grandchildren. Every morning at six, this 56 year old grandmother walked 30 minutes to the dump to scavenge for tin cans.

For every bag of cans she collected she received the equivalent of £2.50 - half of which was paid to the lorry driver who delivered them to the recycling depot. It could take Maria three days to fill a single bag.

The money Maria earned was just enough to put food on the table and any extra went towards school fees for the younger children.

  

She is one of tens of thousands of grandmothers who have lost their own children to AIDS, and then have to raise their own grandchildren in desperate poverty.

Maria's days on the dump are now over thanks to Hope and Homes for Children.

We support the family by providing food and other household goods as well as paying for fees and uniforms so that all the children attend school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


home | what we do | where we help | donate | get involved | find out more | press centre | contact us | site map | terms of use

Hope and Homes for Children is a registered charity. No 1089490