Tholakele Centre of Hope is a children's home for orphaned and vulnerable children. It was registered in 2008 and provides care, shelter and protection to 42 children from the ages of 3 – 18 years. The centre is situated in the heart of impoverished townships of Tsakane and Kwa-Thema in Ekurhuleni.
This community has a high number of orphaned and vulnerable children caused mainly by the plight of HIV/AIDS, poverty, neglect and substance abuse. There is a desperate need to care for them especially since they do not receive family or community support. According to the Department of Social Development, South Africa now sits with over 5 million orphans and we need a collective response to help give the destitute children a decent life and future.
Tholakele Centre of hope was founded by Ps. Tholakele Matilda Tshabalala in 2004. As a teacher and community leader she saw a desperate need to help orphaned and destitute children in her impoverished community. Her compassion and empathy due to the knowledge that there is nothing more traumatic for a child to see a parent die and the added tragedy of the loss of adult guidance and protection. She believed that children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused and exploited. She was determined to bridge this gap and to find support to care for them.
Our efforts confirm that we put children first at Tholakele Centre of Hope. We seek to supervise the sustainable growth of each orphaned child living in the centre so that they grow up to be responsible members of society.
Managed by Phindile Mthembu, who saw children in need and chose love, protection, and dignity over silence giving every child a chance to thrive.
A mother to many.
