OUR STORY
The looming AIDS/HIV epidemic in 2001 and the potential impact thereof on children and families in the Mkhondo district and the province of Mpumalanga acted as motivation to address the need for a registered residential care facility for orphans and vulnerable children. All role-players in the field of child and youth care (SAPS, NGO’s, Department of Social Development, Department of Justice as well as parents of children in need of care) collaborated in regard to this matter.
Uzwelo Home (Uzwelo meaning mercy in Zulu) registered as a Non-profit Organisation and has become a home of mercy in action to many children in need of care and protection.
As a faith-based organisation, Uzwelo Home also acknowledges that the church has a scriptural mandate to care for children. Wellspring Ministries seized the
opportunity to realise the vision of caring for orphans and vulnerable children.
In 2007 in response to the HIV/ AIDS crisis affecting children the child and youth care services were extended to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) residing in 12 neighbouring remote rural communities. Uzwelo Rural Orphan Care (UROC) was established and implemented the acclaimed Isibindi (meaning courage in IsiZulu) Model developed by the National Association of Child Care Workers.
This holistic prevention model is endorsed by the Department of Social Development.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1v27
VISION
To show mercy to the orphans and vulnerable children of Africa
MISSION
By serving through ACTS OF MERCY :
To satisfy the basic needs of OVC
To ensure quality and appropriate schooling and educational support
To offer opportunities of life/ entrepreneurial skills development
To secure medical care and health/ social education and awareness
To participate in the healing / therapeutic process of OVC
To mentor the spiritual journey of OVC
To create environments which will promote good citizenship and independence
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Uzwelo Home and Uzwelo Rural Orphan Care remains under the protection of Wellspring Ministries and the final authority for all matters relating will be with the church and its representative on the Management board.
