This is part of a series of articles, here at African Christian, that profile African Churches that are working to fight poverty in Africa. We believe the hope of Africa is the local church and prayer for more leaders and churches to be raised up who will lead the way in Africa and world in showcasing how local churches and care for and alleviate local poverty.
We’d love to hear the story of how your church is working to end poverty in your community – Make a comment below or email us your thoughts .
Kloof Harvest Church Ministries
Kloof church is an active participant in the fight against poverty in South Africa. Kloof church was founded in 1996 by Roger and Yvonne Greig in Kwa Zulu Natal. Igane yami is a not for profit making organization formed by the Kloof church to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in Kwa Zulu Natal especially on its effect on children. The children village is located in the Shongweni valley, which is about 20km inland from Durban on South Africa’s east coast. ” Igane Yami” means “my child” in Zulu, is a ministry that mainly caters for the children affected by the scourge of HIV and AIDS and are left vulnerable either by the weakened state of their parents or guardians due to the disease or due to death of the adult care givers. Igana Yami, believes in the transformation starts with the beginning of each life and that if one child is truly transformed, then the knock out effect would be great.
The mission
The mission of the Igana yami is “to build a village where orphaned and abandoned children will receive long term, holistic care. A place where they belong and thrive as they experience daily the value of growing up in a family environment where they receive unconditional love, spiritual discipleship, nurturing and care”. This is done with the belief that every child no matter the circumstance in life can be set free from the bondage of poverty to achieve great potential.
This mission is aimed for children who need long term sustainable care and who need a permanent home and not a home in waiting for foster care. The village is based on a model where the children live in a home with a mother. Currently, the village is developing a more comfortable home for the children. It will consist of units where the families will live are three bed roomed units with a bedroom for the mother and another for the children. Apart from this, the houses will clustered in groups of five houses to create a sense of a larger community and to share the experiences of living in the homes. There will also be a recreational center, a director’s house, community hall, preschool, and a 3square kilometer playfield. The project is being set up in a 30 acre piece of land located at in the Shongweni Valley area in Kwa Zulu Natal. Saving these children will contribute in the reduction of poverty in Africa and specifically in the Kwa Zulu Natal province.
Family life
Each family at the village has a mother and six children and her care. Each mother is selected with care and charged with the responsibility of taking care of her family. The mothers are trained to take care of the children coming from the harsh environment so as to enable them gain self confidence and self worth, a sense of belonging and for them to feel secure. This is a long term assignment since the mother stays with the children in the home until they reach adulthood and are able to stand on their own. The mother receives guidance and counseling from a professional counselor and the village director. The village director oversees the day to day running of the village and provides mentorship for the young children.
Taking care of the future through care of our children is the first step towards a sustained campaign against poverty in Africa.
More information or to contact the church – CLICK HERE
Hi,
Hope you have seen my e-mail address,I thank you very much for this wonderful vision that God has revealed to you.Forgotten by the world loved by God.This is the country of Burundi where many children are perishing with hunger,poverty,illness and so forth….Would like to welcome you in this country and give help. as you are doing to other African Countries.
May the Lord God bless you richly.
Your brother in Christ Jesus Jean Bosco Havyarimana.