INTELLECTUAL VAGABOND
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Centre for HIV patients face closure due to lack of funding
14-11-2009
Ikhaya Lobomi, a hospice and care-centre for people living with HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, runs the risk of closing down due to the withdrawal of support from key funders.
Ikhaya Lobomi, translates in English to “Home Of Life”, and has been in operation since 2001 under the devoted leadership of Patience and Zinele Mavata. Over those years it has become an irreplacable part of the community it serves, being the only hospice of its kind in the area.
Ikhaya Lobomi has kept moving from strength to strength, and has come a long way from the old building it occupied that was once a beer hall. Yet the centre now faces a major funding crisis as the financial commitment made by its main funder has been backtracked, leaving staff with the huge burden of finding up to R220 (£18/$30) per patient per day to keep the centre running. UK-based charity Friends of Ikhaya Lobomi (FOIL) have also withdrawn funding from the hospice, stating that the centre has expanded its services, and support too many people for it to be still considered for financial assistance.
Huge personal sacrifices have been made by Patience and Zinele, but without external support, the daunting reality is that Ikhaya Lobomi may be forced to close, leaving behind an immense void in HIV patient care and support – a service that has become invaluable to so many people.
From the 22 November-5 December from 10 am -4pm, Ikhaya Lobomi are inviting the public to visit the hospice in order to raise awareness about the need for the services they provide.
More information can be obtained by calling +27 746933327
Any member of the public can lend a hand to Ikhaya Lobomi by sending a text message of the word "ikhaya" to 38585". Each text will cost R10
Also, larger donations can be made using the banking details:
Ikhaya Lobomi Health Care
Bank :First National Bank
Account no.62111994796
Branch Code 251505
Branch Name:Pine Crest Centre
Any member of the public can lend a hand to Ikhaya Lobomi by sending a text message of the word "ikhaya" to 38585". Each text will cost R10
Also, larger donations can be made using the banking details:
Ikhaya Lobomi Health Care
Bank :First National Bank
Account no.62111994796
Branch Code 251505
Branch Name:Pine Crest Centre
As Ikhaya Lobomi is completely reliant on donor support, the contributions of philanthropists is important to the operation of this centre and many others like it, especially with the uncertainties linked with financial support from governments and international donors.
The kindness of individuals concerned with the state of the world, without thought of personal gain, would lead to a dramatically enhanced benefit of community-led programmes, and will also inspire others to follow suit and lend their strengths to supporting good works across the world. Read More.