Change a life

What is Thembalethu?

Thembalethu is a community based organization started in 1999. It operates in the Nkomazi region of Mpumalanga which lies 40km south of the Malelane Gate of the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It also borders both Mozambique and Swaziland the latter of which has the highest HIV infection rate in the world.

What do they do?

AIDS in South Africa is on a scale too enormous for most of us to comprehend. Thembalethu works in an area where the HIV infection rate is almost 1 in 2. This means that over 40% of the population is infected with HIV. This is how Thembalethu helps:

Thembalethu has 220 care-supporters attending home-based care for over 1200 terminally ill AIDS patients in 13 villages

They are currently assisting approximately 3000 orphans and vulnerable children

They provide emotional and psychological support for the orphans

Where possible, they provide material support and accommodation to orphans

They run HIV/AIDS awareness programs

They provide voluntary counseling and testing for HIV

They provide assistance with establishing food gardens in both family homes andorphan-led homes because improved nutrition delays the onset of AIDS

They run a program called, 'Youth in Action'. The young people write, edit and publish the only newspaper in the area incorporating education, information, advice and contacts for those with HIV/AIDS.

Why do they need support?

Despite the tremendous efforts of Thembalethu, they are still completely overwhelmed. As mentioned, Swaziland has the highest infection rate in the World. The Nkomazi, which borders Swaziland, has a catchment area of approximately 650 to 700,000. Although they are currently helping 3000 orphans, the true number in need is in the order of 12-15,000 orphans. Many of these orphans are care-givers as pictured below.

Our hopes ...

That consumers will buy with a conscience, knowing that their purchase will directly benefit AIDS orphans in South Africa