In November of this year, fifteen volunteers from around the UK will travel to the Tsusalushaka region of South Africa to help build a crèche and drop-in centre for vulnerable children. Included in the group is Simon Hobby, who has to raise a minimum of £3000 to participate in the project.
“In that part of South Africa, 57% of children under the age of 18 have experienced some form of violence - mostly sexual - in the last 12 months,” explains Simon. “In that area, parents work all day, but the children only attend nursery and pre-school until lunchtime, leaving them wandering the streets and vulnerable to horrific abuse in the afternoons. Incredibly, this abuse usually comes from someone they know. The crèche and drop-in centre we are helping to build will provide somewhere safe for the children to go until their parents can collect them. They also get fed, and for some of them it's the only hot meal they get each day.”
The project is co-ordinated by international charity World Vision, who have already built 42 schools, 24 crèches, and 24 drop-in centres in the Tsusalushaka province. They work closely with the local people as well as overseas volunteers to ensure the projects they fund are of lasting value to the African communities.
“There are 15 of us going from the UK, and it will be a real test for us,” adds Simon. “First, we have to raise at least £3000 each and then we will actually work on the creche and drop-in centres in what will be very difficult conditions because of the heat and limited resources available. We're looking forward to the challenge, though!”