Meet the team
VIRGINIA AND OLIVER
Virginia and Oliver Simelela are the couple who founded and run the home. They are a moving example of compassion, dedication and selflessness. They have three biological children of their own, two of whom are also living at the home and have to share their parents with 34 brothers and sisters. Virginia and Oliver are both already in their mid forties, and both display immense energy and strength in caring for these children, which is a highly demanding job!
Virginia often sits with the children in clinics when they are sick or gets up at all hours to assist a disabled child who cannot move him/herself in bed without assistance. So many people have commented that they can feel the mothering and caring energy from Virginia when they meet her. She previously worked as a domestic worker and has little formal education.
Oliver is a welder, and makes burglar bars and gates. When one drives to the home, one notices that most of the neighbours have fancy gates and burglar bars made by Oliver. Without the income he makes from his endeavours, the home could not function. Oliver also has to take and fetch all of the children to and from school. Considering that the children go to four different schools, this can be tiresome!
BATHANDWA CARERS
Besides Virginia and Oliver, Bathandwa employs four other carers who come from the local community and have a passion for caring for vulnerable children.
Because Bathandwa is not receiving any donor funding, the carers work 12-hour days for six days a week and earn R600 a month!
Virginia cannot currently afford to pay them more. Once Bathandwa is registered with social services, government aid will assist greatly in boosting carer salaries to the level they deserve.
THE FRIENDS OF BATHANDWA TRUST
An organsiation called JDI became involved with Bathandwa to fulfil some of the home's short-term needs, such as food, clothing, blankets, cots, bunk beds, kitchen appliances, toiletries and the building of an extra bathroom.
The most desperate need is that of a bigger home. A trust was therefore formulated by three JDI members, who wanted to support the home on a longterm basis. The trust is known as the Friends of Bathandwa Trust.
Virginia and Oliver Simelela are the couple who founded and run the home. They are a moving example of compassion, dedication and selflessness. They have three biological children of their own, two of whom are also living at the home and have to share their parents with 34 brothers and sisters. Virginia and Oliver are both already in their mid forties, and both display immense energy and strength in caring for these children, which is a highly demanding job!
Virginia often sits with the children in clinics when they are sick or gets up at all hours to assist a disabled child who cannot move him/herself in bed without assistance. So many people have commented that they can feel the mothering and caring energy from Virginia when they meet her. She previously worked as a domestic worker and has little formal education.
Oliver is a welder, and makes burglar bars and gates. When one drives to the home, one notices that most of the neighbours have fancy gates and burglar bars made by Oliver. Without the income he makes from his endeavours, the home could not function. Oliver also has to take and fetch all of the children to and from school. Considering that the children go to four different schools, this can be tiresome!
BATHANDWA CARERS
Besides Virginia and Oliver, Bathandwa employs four other carers who come from the local community and have a passion for caring for vulnerable children.
Because Bathandwa is not receiving any donor funding, the carers work 12-hour days for six days a week and earn R600 a month!
Virginia cannot currently afford to pay them more. Once Bathandwa is registered with social services, government aid will assist greatly in boosting carer salaries to the level they deserve.
THE FRIENDS OF BATHANDWA TRUST
An organsiation called JDI became involved with Bathandwa to fulfil some of the home's short-term needs, such as food, clothing, blankets, cots, bunk beds, kitchen appliances, toiletries and the building of an extra bathroom.
The most desperate need is that of a bigger home. A trust was therefore formulated by three JDI members, who wanted to support the home on a longterm basis. The trust is known as the Friends of Bathandwa Trust.
Oliver & Virginia Simelela provide a safe house to 36 kids
The house parents are supported by four carers and a part-time administrator
The children love going to Sea Point! Outings cost money: food, transport & entrance fees