How to help
Bathandwa Day and Night Care Centre was founded by a couple, Virgina and Oliver Simelela in 2000, when a relative's mother was stabbed to death by her father. The young child was left destitute to wander the streets. Virginia's deep-rooted compassion and love for children inspired her to take the child into her own home on a permanent basis.
Soon, other members of the community, and government social workers, were referring more abandoned or disabled children to the home; children who would otherwise be left impoverished on the streets of Cape Town. Over the last six years, the home has grown dramatically. It now houses 36 children.
Bathandwa is located in Makhaya, Khayelitsha - Cape Town's biggest and one of its most ill-established townships, which is in desperate need of social development and support.
The home essentially provides food, shelter, clothing, and most importantly, support and love for children ranging from just one year to 18 years old. The word Bathandwa is translated into English as "to be loved" - one visit to Bathandwa and one soon realises that these children are loved and are part of a caring extended family.
CHILD STATISTICS
OUR CONSTITUTION
The home has formulated an official committee, whose members are bound by a constitution. Again, the main objective of the constitution is to "care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned or disabled children". A copy of the constitution is available upon request.
TAX STATUS
The home is registered as an NPO - number 049-340-NPO - so all donations made to Bathandwa Day and Night Care Centre are tax deductible. Our SARS registration number is 0079/411/16/1 and the Trust’s tax exemption number is 930 024 419.
Soon, other members of the community, and government social workers, were referring more abandoned or disabled children to the home; children who would otherwise be left impoverished on the streets of Cape Town. Over the last six years, the home has grown dramatically. It now houses 36 children.
Bathandwa is located in Makhaya, Khayelitsha - Cape Town's biggest and one of its most ill-established townships, which is in desperate need of social development and support.
The home essentially provides food, shelter, clothing, and most importantly, support and love for children ranging from just one year to 18 years old. The word Bathandwa is translated into English as "to be loved" - one visit to Bathandwa and one soon realises that these children are loved and are part of a caring extended family.
CHILD STATISTICS
| Number of children | 36 | |
| Number of boys | 20 | |
| Number of girls | 16 | |
| Number of disabled/challenged children | 17 | |
| Number of HIV+children | 2 | |
| Number attending school | 23 | |
| Average age | 10 |
OUR CONSTITUTION
The home has formulated an official committee, whose members are bound by a constitution. Again, the main objective of the constitution is to "care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned or disabled children". A copy of the constitution is available upon request.
TAX STATUS
The home is registered as an NPO - number 049-340-NPO - so all donations made to Bathandwa Day and Night Care Centre are tax deductible. Our SARS registration number is 0079/411/16/1 and the Trust’s tax exemption number is 930 024 419.
Oliver & Virginia Simelela opened their home to 36 children in need of care
Some of the children are physically or mentally disabled
The new plot is close to the existing home and schools