'Malibuseng Children's Centre
The development of this Children's Home in Maseru East is a Sentebale initiative in partnership with the organisation Habitat for Humanity. We have worked with an elderly carer who for the past ten years has lived with and looked after 34 children in a four room shack. Following the death of his wife he cared for the children on his own, but with only eight dilapidated beds and worn blankets to offer them, their situation was still one of depravity. While they have at least had a roof over their head, the conditions were poor.
Through a project run by Habitat for Humanity and a group of Dutch volunteers, some basic new houses were built nearby. Sentebale joined forces with Habitat for Humanity and some other local organisations to enable these children to move into this new accommodation. We assessed all the children individually and developed long term plans with a community partner - The Sacred Society of Missionaries (SSM). SSM took on responsibility for managing the two new homes. The houses needed considerable building work and developments before the children could move in. Sentebale managed and funded these improvements to provide quality homes for the children.
There are now 26 children in the home, aged from three to 19. All of the children are in school with their fees being paid. We have established a Board of Trustees for the Children's Home who meet monthly to monitor the running of 'Malibuseng. The children's health is regularly checked with those requiring treatment, receiving it.
The children are being well cared for by staff recruited and funded by Sentebale including two Housemothers, a Manager, a General Helper and a Security Guard. We have built a security fence around the property to ensure maximum protection for the children.
This has been a complex partnership development from chaotic crisis living to long term structured care.
In an assessment session with one of the girls she cried as she told our staff about how the most devastating day of her life was when her mother died. She said that it was her dream to be reunited with her family. Sentebale have tracked down her Grandmother and we have arranged for her to be reunited with her during her holidays - making sure that important family ties and support are restored.
We are working closely with Social Welfare to oversee the care of these children, and where possible, arrange for them to be placed with families.
© Sentebale 2010