Nkosi’s Haven, Faces Funding Crisis

Nkosi’s Haven is a recognized NGO in South Africa that has been in operation since 1999 offering holistic care and support for destitute HIV/AIDS infected mothers, her children, and resulting AIDS orphans (infected or not). Nkosi’s Haven is named after Nkosi Johnson, the young AIDS activist who passed away on International Children’s Day on June 1st, 2001, who dearly wanted a facility that would care for the mom and her child. He had been separated from his mom because of the HIV diagnosis and he never wanted that to happen to any other child. He also wanted HIV positive people to be cared for without discrimination or prejudice. It is devastating to hear that Nkosi’s Haven is currently under a financial crisis that threatens the lives of many innocent children, (105 to be exact, and 28 mothers) that if the home does not find funding, it will have to close its doors to all the people living there.

We both attend Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, and are currently enrolled in a World Politics of HIV/AIDS class. We were tasked at creating or taking part in some sort of activism or advocacy work that relates to HIV/AIDS. We decided we wanted to help fund Nkosi’s Haven because it not only does valuable work to help with AIDS and who is affected by it, but we also have a personal connection to the establishment. Team Member Andrew Johns is from Johannesburg and was once a resident of Nkosi’s Haven. When he was 9 years old, his mother was infected with HIV and was no longer able to work and provide for him and his 4 other siblings. To hear that the place Andrew once called home was about to close, brought him tears and we knew right then and there that for our semester project that we wanted to help Nkosi’s Haven to the best of our ability, the same way it helped Andrew when he was younger. To do this, we are reaching out to as many people as possible and have created this GoGetFunding page to help with our fundraising efforts.

“Nkosi’s Haven was my home for over 9 years. Without Nkosi’s Haven, I wouldn’t be where I am today, studying Business Administration at a prestigious US college. Nkosi’s Haven provided me with shelter, food, education, emotional and physical protection. When my mother was ill, Nkosi’s Haven paid for her medication, took care of my schooling and all my siblings. Nkosi’s Haven was our home, and we love the place along with everyone that lives there. Through Nkosi’s Haven, I met my now guardian Dick Scanlan who helped me and mentored me through my college applications and the stressful SAT. Nkosi’s Haven has changed the lives of many people including myself, and to watch this place struggle for money to fund its existence is hard on me and many other people that once lived there. Nkosi’s Haven is truly a special place, it gives hope to those who are used to feeling hopelessness. There are still many children there without families and nowhere to go. If Nkosi’s Haven is to close down due to funding, there would be a lot of children left homeless and all the work on HIV advocacy and educating the children will go to waste. Nkosi’s Haven still has a lot of children and adults to take care of and provide a home to.” (Andrew Johns)

The $1,000 will go directly to Nkosi’s Haven and will provide them with funds to help them continue to operate. While the $1,000 will certainly help, we hope that it is just the beginning of the financial support Nkosi’s Haven desperately needs. By donating any amount, you will be helping many who have been personally affected by HIV/AIDS. You will help provide shelter, food, and education to families who aren’t able to provide for themselves, and help make life easier for those affected by HIV/AIDS.