Champions Champions The Phedišang Model
The Phedišang Model |
 |
 |
 Phedišang is a Northern Sotho (Sepedi) word, which means 'help them to live' and the mission of Phedišang is to do just that for orphans and vulnerable children in the Maruleng Municipality of Limpopo Province. Phedišang recognizes the importance of keeping children in some form of a family unit, while ensuring access to adequate care and support.
Thus children remain in the communities that are familiar to them, usually with relatives in their villages, and are given enough food every day: existing infrastructure is used to provide the children with two well-balanced meals 365 days a year. Orphans and vulnerable children are identified by local Phedišang committees who then welcome them into the Phedišang family at the local drop-in centres in the following villages: Enable, Worcester, Turkey, Butswana, Mankgonyane (Turkey 2) and Moshate (Sekororo Village). Approximately 400 children are supported by Phedišang.Phedišang approaches government social workers and helps them to gather together the required documents and have them processed so that foster parents will receive a government foster care grant (R650) on a monthly basis. Foster parents are asked to contribute R100 a month towards the cost and preparation of the daily meals. At the Phedišang centres the children receive help with homework, are encouraged to join in various sport and leisure activities and to participate in leadership programmes. Phedišang works with the local Health authorities to arrange for a clinic sister (nurse) to visit the children to monitor their health and to ensure access to nearby clinics and the local hospital if necessary. AIDSbuzz salutes the founders, staff and volunteers at Phedišang for the model they have established for the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children. Their success is threefold: children are provided with a nurturing environment and help to access state grants and the health system; a replicable model, as well as a short and simple manual, has been developed; and, there is constant striving for sustainability, through capacity building, developing skills, expertise and experience, and encouraging a sense of ownership and responsibility, so that local people will continue the work once Phedišang is no longer present.Phedisang is welcomes exposure, volunteers, goods or donations. To donate to the organisation or to buy a household calendar or organiser and so feed a child for a month, go to www.phedisang.org or contact the organisation at 011 486 4266 or info@phedisang.org |