A safe haven for Mokopane orphans

The number of children abandoned by their parents and living as orphans in Mokopane was of such  concern to Mary-Jane Machoga, project coordinator of the Aletuke Community Care Centre, that she approached Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena Mine to help her provide a safe haven for these children.
“We offer a small home-care service for sick people and if the patient passes away, their children are often orphaned. We decided we would try and take care of the orphaned children which led to the birth of the Aletuke Community Care Centre,” Machoga explained.
Housed in an old church, the facilities were tolerable, but not ideal. It was at this time that the Anglo visited the site and saw the conditions the children and caregivers face. It decided the children needed a safe place to learn.
Mpho Litha, Anglo Platinum’s community engagement department head said Anglo spent just short of R500 000 on upgrading the centre and also helped get the children some toys and stimulating equipment.
The programmes at the Aletuke Centre can  run without any hindrance and children can do their homework and have a hearty meal in safety. ‘’We have a counselor’s office where children can receive counseling in private.
They come out with a revived spirit and their problems are solved. My plan is to make sure these children have direction and know what career they would like to pursue once they
finish matric,’’ said Machoga.
She attributes the high incidence of crime, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy in the area to the youth not having opportunities. “There are no jobs and their only entertainment is hanging out at taverns. Young girls drop out of school and fall pregnant so they can get government grants for their children. Numerous children also live on their own, while parents are away at work in the cities,” she explained.
“We would like to thank the other stake-holders who have been involved in our journey from the beginning. Thank you to the Kekana family who has provided us with space to start this centre in Moshate back in 2004. We also thank the Anglican Church where we operated as a centre from 2006 to recently. Other stakeholders we are thanking are the department of social development, Mboyane and Associates and the community.”