Sizanani Home Trust established

01 04 2008

We are extremely proud to announce that the new Sizanani Home Trust has been established (IT 7436/07) and taken over the operations of the Home for children and youth with physical and intellectual disabilities. The past year has been spent on stabilizing donor and labour relations in order to ensure that the organization will be sustainable in the long-term. Plans have also been developed to initiate outreach projects, with the first day care centre to be opened on 1 July 2008 in one of the surrounding communities.

St. Mary’s Home Trust dissolved

11 02 2007

After a long period of financial and managerial difficulties, it has become clear that St. Mary’s Home Trust could not sustain its services in its current form. The Trust was therefore dissolved on 10 February and about 100 children were discharged back to their families. The Archdiocese of Pretoria took over the responsibility of caring for the 60 remaining orphans and abandoned children, who had nowhere to go, while it intends to make alternate arrangements, with the possibility of establishing a new Trust to operate the Home and assist the families of the discharged children. In the meantime, the 60 children continue to reside at Sizanani, with a small, but highly dedicated team of childcare workers and other staff members looking after them.

Wheelchair donation

18 06 2006

On the seventh of June, 2006 St. Mary's Home received a lovely surprise. We were invited by the Sexwale Family Foundation to come to Johannesburg with 30 children in order to receive a generous gift of 30 wheelchairs. Upon commencement of the presentation ceremony, the legendary Nelson Mandela stepped up to the stage. The first-rate wheelchairs were presented to the children and were immediately adjusted by professional occupational therapists to suit their individual needs. We were very pleased with the fantastic gift, only to be delighted by another call from the Foundation that we were to receive another 15 wheelchairs the very next day, presented by one of the Trustees, Mrs. Chris Hani. This event has granted us positive exposure to the media, including a beautiful photo and interview involving one of our children, Thabiso. We are honored by the Sexwale Family Foundation's generosity.

Farewell to Fr.Charles

28 03 2006

We bid farewell to the founder of Sizanani, Fr. Charles Kuppelwieser, as he has left Sizanani at the end of February 2006. After 15 years of hard work and dedication, Fr. Charles has left the Village in the capable hands of the Board and management. The social programmes are now incorporated in separate legal entities. The various Boards of Trustees and managements are committed to continuing reaching out to the surrounding communities as he did. On behalf of the disabled children of St. Mary's Home, the vulnerable women of Mali Martin centre and staff members who knew Fr. Charles in the past decade, we would like to express our gratitude and our best wishes for the future.

Government imbizo

08 12 2005

The Sizanani Conference Centre hosted a provincial government imbizo on 8-10 December. Numerous high-ranking officials have participated in the gathering and also made time to visit the other community-development projects in Sizanani. The Mayor of Bronkhorstspruit, Mr. Obed Maila, the Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr. Mbazima Shilowa and the Deputy President of South Africa, Mrs. Phumzile Ngcuka met with employees, patients and children from St. Joseph’s Care and Support Trust and St. Mary’s Home for Children with Disabilities. We are grateful for their support and wish them well in the work!

Buddhist visit

24 10 2005

The new Abbot of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan, Venerable Shin Peir has visited St. Mary's Home on 24 October. His visit was due to the long-standing, successful relationship between Sizanani and the Nan-Hua Buddhist Temple of Bronkhorstspruit, the largest Buddhist centre in Africa. We hope our cooperation will continue in the future!

Photo exhibition about Sizanani and SA

29 07 2005

A photo exhibition was opened on 18 July 2005 in Budapest, Hungary with the title: 'South Africa through a Volunteer's eyes'. The 60 pictures that are exhibited in the Simplon Coffee House were taken by Jules Balogh, a Hungarian volunteer who spent 4 months at Sizanani Village earlier this year. Jules has developed the beautiful website you are now looking at and has taken pictures both in Sizanani and during his trips around South Africa. The exhibition is so popular that it has already been invited to several other cities in Hungary. Congratulations, Jules!

'Plant-a-tree'

22 05 2005

'Plant a Tree' is a new initiative by one of our volunteers. Each volunteer working at any of the units of Sizanani will plant a tree on our grounds that will leave their legacy here for all others who follow them. The first six trees have already been planted beside the soccer field. Click here for photos!

New website in progress...

21 02 2005

A Hungarian volunteer has arrived to S.A. to create a beautiful and informative website for all the units of Sizanani Village. The website you are viewing right now is the result of his commitment and expertise. We are greatly indebted to all the volunteers who have added value to the operations of our units.

Ashley Judd visited Sizanani

03 02 2005

Ashley Judd, Hollywood star and Global Ambassador for Youth Aids has visited St. Joseph's Care Centre and St. Mary's Home. Her trip was organized by De Beers LV, one of the corporate sponsors of both units. The visit was part of a tour in Southern Africa that included Mozambique, Madagascar and various locations in South Africa.

Opening ceremony for the new community centre

13 03 2005

The opening ceremony for the new Community Centre of St. Joseph's Care and Support Trust was attended by the  Röling family from the Netherlands that had provided the funding for the construction of the building. His Grace the Archbishop of Pretoria was also present to bless the building, the staff and all the people who benefit from the services of St. Joseph's.

Princess Christina of Spain visited Sizanani

22 12 2004

Her Royal Highness Princess Christina of Spain has visited Sizanani Village. Her trip was organized by the Embassy of Spain which has been supporting the St. Joseph's Care and Support Trust for years. Princess Christina took a tour of the newly built Community Centre, visited our hospice and a feeding scheme in one of the surrounding townships. She has also made time to visit the children with disabilities at St. Mary's Home.