THOKOMALA HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2023

At LIV Thokomala, we are all about seeing lives changed by providing our children with family care within their community settings. It is a place of love – a home where they can heal and grow into amazing young men and women, and we love to continue walking with these children after they have completed their schooling by helping them find sponsors for tertiary education and preparing them for a life as independent adults.

2023 has been an exciting year at LIV Thokomala with lots happening in our 11 homes across the country. Several of our children are one step closer to living independently, which is exciting for some, but daunting for others.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights in our children’s lives this year.

New Beginnings

We have seen one child graduate to Grade R and two to High School. Even more exciting are our five school leavers, Sibongile, Thabiso, Olwethu, Phelokazi, and Sibongile. This is a great milestone in the lives of these children, and we look forward to seeing what their futures hold and what they will accomplish.

We celebrate seven of our children for their accomplishments in the working world:

  • Nosipho found full-time employment and has already been promoted to manager. She is also living independently since finding employment.
  • Anita received an employee of the month award and is now living independently.
  • Melusi has found part-time work at a lodge.
  • Sinenhlanhla is furthering her studies through a sponsor.
  • Nombulelo is also furthering her studies through a sponsor.
  • Aphendule graduated from Grade R.
  • Ntando graduated from Grade 7 and is going to High School.


Having fun at events

The children in our Thokoza, Kagiso, and Vosloorus homes were able to join LIV Lanseria’s holiday club for one week during the winter holidays, while our Durban youth joined LIV Durban for their Come Together Youth Festival for three days in June. Our Umlazi children also attended an open day at CITA College to encourage their futures, and were also treated to a show and breakfast.

We are so grateful for the support and partnership with the other LIV villages and organisations that help us grow and encourage our children in different ways. It helps us to truly release stars once our children are ready to take their next step in life.


Our family tree is blossoming

Our Villa Lize home has a wonderful new foster mother to the four children who live in the home. We also welcomed Mum Beryl to our Humansdorp home. Welcoming new mothers into our homes can be a difficult transition for our children, but we are extremely grateful for the wonderful women who have followed the calling on their lives to join our Thokomala family.

Sport

Thabiso competed at the Special Olympics held in Germany. This was an incredible opportunity and experience for this young man, and we are so proud of all he has accomplished. He was also very lucky to have met our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, which was a highlight to him personally, and is an experience he will never forget.


Final Farewells

We are proud that three of our Durban-based children completed their final year of schooling. Sibongile, Thabiso, and Olwethu were all celebrated at LIV Durban’s Release Dinner together with their matriculants and school leavers.

We also celebrated Phelokazi from our Kagiso home, as well as Sibongile, who both successfully completed Grade 12.

This is a great milestone in the lives of these children, and we look forward to seeing what their futures hold and what they will accomplish.


Giving hands

Lastly, we’d like to say thank you. Without our generous partners and donors, we would not be able to look after the children in our care. We are so grateful for the individuals, companies, and organisations that have walked alongside us, our children, and our mothers over the past years. Together we are able to make an impact in our communities and nation, and together we can continue to build the South Africa we all dream of.

Together we can!

El Roi Baby Home Currently Closed

The El Roi Baby Home is currently closed as we are working fervently with DSD and our local municipality to re-register our home as a Child and Youth Care Centre. Please join us in praying for favour, provision, wisdom and peace as we wait on the process to be completed as soon as the Lord would allow. For more information about this process, please send us an email at babyhome@liv-lanseria.com.