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The community of Langbos lives in dire poverty. Their houses are shacks without lights and water. Majority of the community are HIV positive. Alcoholism and child abuse are widespread problems. As it is a citrus growing area, Addo only has seasonal work available leaving 70% of the community unemployed between December and March. All these factors contribute to highly dysfunctional families and rampant suffering. In 1994 after seeing children frequently scavenging on an illegal rubbish dump. Muffy Miller developed growing concerns about the educational needs, health issues and crime, so she decided to act.
Our crèche/playschool is in the heart of the Langbos informal settlement. It is open daily to all the children in the Langbos community. At present they have 5 staff members.
The crèche/playschool stays open during the holidays because children are often abused and not fed at home. The children have come to regard the crèche/playschool as a safe haven. Nomthandazo Pipe, who comes from Langbos is a qualified Grade R diploma teacher (she also has a business diploma). Nomthandazo teaches children that age between 5 & 6 years old..
Princess is their assistant teacher. Princess teaches children aged 2-4 years old. Mama Khaya is their cook and she feeds the children every day. The children are thriving and are so much healthier now that they have something to eat and the meal is now complemented by the fresh organic vegetables from their Perma Culture garden.
The gardener, Hendrik, has Perma Culture training.
Sponsor a Child Project Universal Promise is currently working on a sponsorship programme for the crèche children. Afternoon homework class is for children on their way home from school. The children stop at the centre and use the outdoor black boards to do their homework and assistance is available if needed.
We have a care centre next to the crèche/playschool. It is called Intsikilelo (meaning blessing). The crèche/playschool and the care centre has turned into a thriving community centre and is changing lives within the community.
The mobile clinic operates from the care centre twice a month. There are soup kitchens every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for all the hungry people in the community. The care centre is used for functions, funerals and etc by the Langbos Community.The Care Centre serves as a multi-functional venue from birth to death.
Every month an AIDS support group gets together at the centre. Holiday programmes and community meetings are also held at the centre. Dancing and singing performances occur on special occasions. The centre is also always open to the children’s parents, who often play cards, sew, do puzzles and other craft work.
"A remarkable construction project has created a safe house for the community’s children and filled its adults with a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment" - Earthworks Magazine
"Innovative shelter for Addo kids" - HeraldLIVE Port Elizabeth
"U.S. brothers build African orphanages and change the status quo for aid organizations in the process." - Daily Beast
"Helping vulnerable children through community empowerment" - Mawazo
"Unlike many foreign-founded aid organizations, Intsikelelo provides a platform that empowers local, community-driven initiatives... Everything the organization does begins and ends with the community." - GoPro for a Cause
This initiative was started over 27 years ago by Prof. Goldberg who was the head of colorectal surgery at Groote Schuur. This year the team of 50 headed to Uppington.
These outreach trips are so important to the communities as colorectal screenings and early detection can add 20 years to a patient's life.
This trip is also used to upskill doctors and nursing staff.
Our very own Coastal Sales Manager, Debbie Kidgell was involved in 67 cases featuring our fantastic EverLift Lifting Solution.
Well done to everyone!
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