The Area

The area covered by the charity is part of the Valley of a Thousand Hills – about 50 km northwest of Durban, bordering on Hillcrest It is in the Province of Kwa Zulu-Natal and has the highest HIV prevalence rate in South Africa.

It is estimated that 35-40% of adults are infected, and there are more than 300,000 children who are aids orphans.  Currently of those tested 80%+ are found to be positive, an extremely high rate.  The highest rate of new infection is among adolescence with a ratio of 2 girls to each boy being infected. The death rate continually rises.

The majority of the homes are informal dwellings, without basic services (water, sanitation, refuse removal) though a number now have electricity.

Unemployment in the area is high, approximately 45%. In some areas this can be as high as 80%.  This contributes to the general under nourishment, poor health and emotional and physical insecurity of the area.  Many children have only one meal a day, at school, and this will consist of beans and possibly cabbage.