The People

Children

The children at Baphumelele are from different backgrounds and upbringing, and are mostly from Khayelitsha. Some arrive as young as one day old. Children are placed at Baphumelele by social workers or by the police after being found deserted or removed from hostile environments. They often times arrive in poor physical condition, suffering from malnutrition, serious skin infections, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids.

There are many heart-wrenching stories behind our children’s lives – including cases of abandonment in plastic bags, on freeways and at train stations – which makes it an especially wonderful experience to see so many of these children now living a happy and purposeful life. Everyone at Baphumelele shares the common desire to instill a sense of love and peace in the lives of these children, enabling them to grow into independent and thoughtful members of their community.

Caregivers and Staff

We are is blessed with great caregivers, support staff members (including cooks, cleaning/laundry and groundskeepers), a full-time social worker and a director. These employees receive compensation for their work, albeit at a very minimal level. Caregivers receive training to handle everyday situations in the home, as well as some health care training, which is vitally important when dealing with so many infants and toddlers. Caregivers work in two shifts so the children are supervised at all times. The caregivers are managed and trained by our social worker, who in turn reports to our director, Rosie.

Semi-Permanent Volunteers

Baphumelele has been fortunate enough to have a handful of full-time, semi-permanent volunteers join the staff. They have supported the Home in numerous ways, such as lending accounting expertise to the management of our books, developing organisational systems for running the household, coordinating volunteers and visitors, assisting caregivers with trips to clinics and hospitals, and managing various projects around the Home (see Volunteer).

Community

The immediate community is a driving force at Baphumelele. The need for a children’s home was strong and they wanted it there. This means that the children do not grow up in an artificial society but stay close to their roots. The entire Baphumelele outreach effort is labeled a “community-based project” for a very good reason! Community volunteers are an important part of the landscape at Baphumelele and we rely on them to work hand-in-hand with our permanent staff.  
 
 

Temporary Volunteers

Baphumelele is privileged to work with individuals and small groups who contribute to the Home in various ways on a short-term basis. Temporary volunteers come to us from the local community as well as from abroad. Those coming from other countries are typically arranged by AVIVA, 2Way Travel, Children of South Africa (CHOSA), and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). Some are able to offer a few months of service, whilst others have only a few days to give (see Volunteer).

Management Committee

The task of guiding the daily affairs of the Home, as well as projecting future needs, lies with the Management Committee.

The Board of the Baphumelele Waldorf Association (a company not for gain) comprises Rosie Mashale (Chair), Peter Hugo (Rotary), Kathrin Hoyos, Udo Klotz, Jimmy Khanyile, Joseph Tsatsi, Lynne April, Nosiseko Dlakavu and Kwanele Booi.