During 1999, in our contact with the Vryheid Child and Family Welfare Society, it became apparent to us that an increasing number of babies are being abandoned and/or neglected in the Abaqulusi municipal area and in the surrounding rural areas of Northern KwaZulu Natal. This area has a high and increasing instance of HIV /AIDS (30% -40%) and this has a great effect on the children of our communities.

We applied for the registration of a nonprofit organisation which was registered on 18 February 2000 under the name “INKULULEKO”. During 2000 we investigated the need and also looked at a number of options of how to effectively house and care for babies.

After further investigation and research we started to renovate a former preschool in May 2001 into a home for babies. Volunteers did the renovation over weekends and evenings and after 9 months the work was completed in January 2002.

At the end of 2002 we were registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Population Development in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Our first baby arrived on 01 February 2002 and since then we have cared for 92 children - of these, many have been adopted, fostered and some have been reunited with their families. We lost five of our babies to AIDS, which was heart breaking for all of us.

With our “Forever Homes and families” for abandoned, orphaned and HIV positive babies / children we aim to provide a secure, loving and safe environment for babies whilst providing an opportunity for young people and adults of various cultures and nationalities to work together in a team environment.

In the homes our children receive love and quality care. Each one is valuable and precious. We believe that no one is a mistake and that there is a specific plan and purpose for every little life. Our hope is that every child will become a healthy and contributing member of society and that we will play an active role in their early years of life so that each one’s potential can be realized and doors of opportunity opened.