HKA colleagues revisit the Othandweni Family Care Centre
9th March 2023
In February, colleagues from our South Africa office led by Jude Wilson-Brown, Regional Marketing Manager for the Middle East and Africa, and Lihle Ntshangase, Marketing Manager for Africa, spent a day at the Othandweni Family Care Centre.
Othandweni, which means “Place of Love”, is situated in Mofolo South, Soweto – a township of Johannesburg – and offers residential care for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Established in 1984 by the Jo’burg Child Welfare Society, the centre caters for 90 children from ages birth to 21 years, who live in houses around the property.
Each house has a house mother who assists, supports and looks after the children. The centre also provides counselling and therapy to ensure the children have access to material needs and can continue with their education. The centre works with their adoption and foster care units to get the children placed with loving families either through adoption or foster care.
HKA has been supporting the centre since 2021. We have helped to upgrade the library and clean up the play area, so the children have safe facilities. We have also organised a Christmas party for the children including a BBQ, toy donations and hosting festive games to give the children a Christmas experience.
“By establishing sponsorship in South Africa, we’re not only changing the lives of individuals, but we’re also building a bridge of hope, opportunity and progress for entire communities.”
John Hughes, Partner, Head of Africa
During our visit, colleagues received a tour of the centre, met with the staff and children and provided aid on behalf of HKA. Colleagues brought 32 kilograms of clothes and much-needed toiletries, diapers and washing powder, as well as provided a monetary donation to further support the centre. Jude reflected on the experience.
“My visit was heart-breaking and heart-warming rolled into one. There is so much more we can do as partnering regions, to support and create what Amanda Clack [Partner, Regional CEO, EMEA] has described as the ‘ripple effect’ – to drive awareness and further change.
Further support will offer these children a glimpse of what we often take for granted from the simple things like trainers for sport, schoolbooks or even money to donate to their own school fundraising activities so they feel inclusive alongside their friends.
I am truly in awe of just how much the South African team have achieved for the centre with their kindness and time. In Gandhi’s words, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.'”
Jude Wilson-Brown, Regional Marketing Manager, Middle East and Africa
We are incredibly proud and thankful for all our colleagues who have supported and who will continue to support the Centre and the children to give them a better opportunity. However, more funds are needed for the centre’s GOGO programme. This programme has been set up to support children after they age out of the centre at 21.
HKA’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) is reflected in our colleagues who represent us at the Othandweni Family Care Centre and across the globe.
Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to support the communities in which we live and operate.
