Eaglenest Home for Orphans

The overall goal of Eaglenest Centre is to feed and provide care for the orphaned, destitute and abandoned children of the nearby communities, in a safe environment. There are 11 volunteers who are members of these communities and who assist with the project. They are involved in identifying, registering and taking care of the affected a nd infected children at Eaglenest Centre. One of these volunteers, Pamela Radebe, who started the project, is responsible to coordinate all activities within the project. Neighbouring schools also refer children to the project.

At present the project occupies four classrooms at the Risuna Primary School. The school is not a functional school and the circuit office of the Department of Education in the area gave permission for the project to occupy the classrooms at the school. On a daily basis, 121 children (0 to six years of age) receive breakfast and lunch and are taken care of. In addition to this (during the week), 115 primary school children are given lunch and are assisted with their home work by volunteers from the Eaglenest Centre.

The objectives of Eaglenest Centre are:

• Providing daily care and two meals per day for the pre-school, orphaned, destitute and  abandoned children who are attending the centre
• Affording these children the opportunities to prepare for primary education
• Providing one meal per day for primary school children attending the centre and also assist  them with their homework

There is no income for the project. The food for the feeding scheme is sponsored by Magellan Consulting. Due to the economic recession, they have reduced their sponsorship which directly affects the number of children who can be fed and cared for. Stipends for the volunteers, gas for cooking and money for transport and petrol are all sponsored by SilverBridge.

At present there is no financial support from the Department of Social Development, however the Committee is in the process of finalising an application for a subsidy. The committee attempts to have two to four fundraising days throughout the year at the centre.

SilverBridge involvement

SilverBridge has been one of the main sponsors of this project for the last three years and will continue to support the incredible and selfless work that these volunteers do. SilverBridge Staff are encouraged to make donations, in terms of clothing and toys, and also to become more actively involved.

The centre recently held its Christmas function where the children took part in various dance performances, were given gift packs and had the opportunity to play on jumping castles etc. The function was attended by a number of SilverBridge staff members who were privileged to share the day with these little ones and who were humbled by the joy that a warm smile and a few simple gifts can bring.

The Eaglenest Centre is functioning well on basic and very limited resources. The attitudes of the volunteers involved are hopeful and positive and it is reflected in the peaceful atmosphere at the centre as well as the happiness and joy amongst the children and volunteers one experiences when visiting the centre. There are many needs in the community and the centre can only render limited services due to limited resources.