ZBI rescues rural crèche from closure
A rural eNseleni crèche with more than 60 children, the majority orphaned, faced closure in the absence of state funding
SURVIVAL in the competitive business world can be harsh and cut-throat with the economic cake slices becoming thinner and thinner.
For many NGOs, the death knell is ringing.
A rural eNseleni crèche with more than 60 children, the majority orphaned, faced closure in the absence of state funding, but the Zululand Business Institute (ZBI) came to their rescue in the nick of time.
On Tuesday, the ‘dream team’ met at the Absa building to celebrate the completion of phase one, which will soon be officially handed over at the site.
The plight of Fundakahle Créche was tabled at the ZBI in April by Cllr Alen Viljoen following an appeal to him by Fundakahle’s Sabelo Nkosi.
A supervisor, two teachers, a cook and a gardener are employed at the centre – a safe haven for children who otherwise would have been left at their own mercy.
Daily meals, largely made up of starch, are provided at a minimal monthly fee of R80 to R130, depending on the child’s age.
The Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), was registered to qualify for state funding of a meager R15 per child, but the NPO certificate lapsed.
In the process of re-application, renewal of the Health and Safety Clearance Certificate was declined because the structure was found to be dangerous.
The Department of Health and Safety stipulated conditions for renewal, but with no funds or manpower available to comply, state funds were off the table.
A ZBI inspection of the structure indeed revealed a badly cracked wall, a sagging roof with holes, a wall structure of rotten wood and gaping window openings covered with clothes to provide some shelter against the elements.
Broken storage for only 12 children, poor water supply, low pressure and no taps were also noted.
A live uncovered power cable runs along the building within easy reach of children.
The kitchen, fitted with a heavy duty gas stove and uncovered cooking utilities, is easily accessible and the overall layout was found to be dangerous.
Without transport, the purchasing, transporting and storage of healthier meals as well as rubbish removal, presented insurmountable challenges.
Help was also needed to establish a vegetable garden.
Following the fact-finding enquiry, the ZBI undertook to assist the crèche with repair of the structure and further financial support.
While Fundakahle is a good news story, the overall picture is bleak.
The culminating effect of a plummeting economy, grand scale wastage, corruption and financial mismanagement by state organs and HIV/Aids-related deaths, is leaving a trail of destruction.
Thousands of orphans are starving in rural Zululand and funding for NGOs are trickling down or have dried up completely.
