Come Together Children's Haven

In 2005, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr sponsored the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of a nine-hectare property adjacent to Sebokeng, with two dwellings, a crèche, staff accommodation and a number of sheds and storerooms. The property provides a non-residential refuge for AIDS orphans in the Sebokeng area.

It serves as the base from which the caregivers - women supported by the Iflend Outreach organisation - go out on a daily basis into the townships and veld to feed, clothe and generally care for and assist orphans in child, relative or friend-headed families. Orphans in need of special care are brought on to the property and cared for until they can go back into their community. Weekends are special occasions when all the children, whether orphans are not, 'come together' at the property, and special activities are arranged for them.

The haven has opened its facilities to the wider community, as the community feels the need. It now provides crèche facilities, and the space and training for a sewing group and market gardeners. These grass-roots nodes of development will increase and change, in response to the community's calls from time to time.

While the firm supports the haven regularly with major capital acquisitions, such as a vehicle, our staff support the haven regularly with monthly gifts of food, clothing and other items that are of use to it.