Many of our childrens families receive new homes! In 2010 many of the children who previously resided in the Rietvlei Bush informal settlement received a new family home in the new Melkbosch Village development in Melkbosstrand. What a wonderful difference it has made to our children to be able to have basic facilities like electricity, a toilet and a bath in their home, and especially for Cape Town, a solid shelter from the harsh wind and rain in the winter.
Some of our childrens families were unfortunately not recipients of new homes and were relocated approximately 30km from Melkbosstrand in Atlantis, to another informal settlement where conditions are very harsh.
Within the community we provide care for many are infected with the HIV, TB and other viruses. Many of the children's parents are illiterate and dependant on alcohol and substances. The children endure a very erratic home life often filled with emotional and physical abuse.
Many of the children's parents are stuck in this cycle of poverty and substance abuse, which helps sustain an environment of hopelessness. We believe that if these children are taught and mentored to believe in themselves and for a better future, this cycle can be permanently broken. These are the current living conditions of some of our children who were not lucky enough to receive a new home.
As can be seen from the photos, the dwellings are of a makeshift construction and as a result these shacks are often damaged or destroyed by the harsh Cape wind and storms. Due to there being no council electricity available paraffin and small fires are used for heat and cooking. This often leads to shacks burning down with injury and death resulting.
There are limited toilet facilities and refuse control, because of this there are areas of accumulating food decomposition and fecal matter.
Pictures of the new housing development to be put up soon! | 
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