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Charles Thomas Mahlungulu, a second generation African-American, had been searching for his roots for more than 40 years when, in June 2002, he came across the name of Dr Sarah Nomalizo Mahlungulu on the South African Medical Research Council’s website. He became excited at the possibility of finding a long-lost relative, and this proved to be the case.
It was therefore with great joy that the Mahlungulu family was reunited in South Africa in September 2002, and news of this family reunion hit the South African headlines. At the community welcome service for Charles Mahlungulu, held in the Mbizana church hall in the Eastern Cape, the idea of starting a family foundation to help the local community was born. This led to the establishment of the Mahlungulu Foundation for Community and Individual Development, a joint initiative between Charles and Sarah Mahlungulu. The Foundation’s aim is to cater for the needs of poor rural communities in Mbizana, who have been badly affected by the HIV epidemic.
The main objectives are to provide:
- - HIV and AIDS prevention and health-promotion programmes within the community, particularly targeting the most vulnerable groups (children, adolescents and women).
- - Care for orphans and vulnerable children (also addressing the needs of the caregivers).
- - Education and lifeskills development.
Community participation and partnerships in the different projects are a key objective. For instance the Foundation works with the Department of Education to help provide better HIV and AIDS education at local schools, as well as voluntary testing and counselling in schools. Other collaborative initiatives include programmes to alleviate poverty and malnutrition within the community, particularly amongst the families most affected by HIV and AIDS.
For further information contact the Mahlungulu Foundation for Community and Individual Development on 031 260 1437 or 073 400 7628 / 083 645 7885.
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