Sister Priscilla created the Bishop Manseutt Biyase Preschool for orphans and vulnerable children after noticing that many orphans of child-headed households were dropping out of school to take care of their younger siblings. Originally housed in a one-car garage, a new building was donated last year that holds 200 children. The preschool has allowed the older siblings to return to primary and high school to continue their education. At the preschool, the orphans are fed breakfast, tea, and lunch - often the only meals they receive for the day. These preschoolers, among the poorest in the region, are being given a chance to leave the household, receive second-hand clothing, get an education, and receive counseling and two nutritious meals a day. They are prepared for primary school by learning English and basic math skills. During recess, the children play with donated toys, playground equipment, and other children. After watching their parents die, these children, often traumatized, are given support and a chance to play. Growing up under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, these children are being given back their childhood.
Sister Priscilla established the preschool as part of her overall project, the Holy Cross Hospice in Gingindlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Sister Priscilla started the Hospice after realizing that many people were walking into the sugarcane fields to die- shunned from society by the stigma of AIDS. Holy Cross Hospice now offers door to door caregiver visits in the community, a hospice for AIDS patients, food parcels for child-headed households, school fees and uniforms for orphans, and satellite feeding centers.
Through previous work as Thembanathi, Thanda directors worked to raise funds for these projects at Holy Cross. Thanda director, Angela Larkan, also worked to achieve a Rotary grant for clean water at Holy Cross Hospice and preschool. Thanda continues to support Holy Cross with funding and grants. For more pictures of children at the preschool and Holy Cross Hospice, visit our photo gallery.
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