#TopCause: Ikhaya Le Themba

One of this month’s Top Causes is Ikhaya Le Themba. We’re recognising them not only for the dedication that they put into their profile on forgood, but for the work that they do in the communities they are present in. We interviewed them to learn a little more about who they are to share with, and inspire you!

Who are you and what do you do?

Ikhaya Le Themba is a non-profit organisation focussing on community development through uplifting, empowering and building value-based communities across Southern Africa.

Why did you get started?

This ministry was birthed in 2003 through Ian and Theresa Richardson. God had planted a vision in their hearts to empower communities, throughout Southern Africa, to take care of the terminally and chronically ill and to deal with the implications of illness and death within the community. The call was not only to meet physical needs, but spiritual, economic and social as well. What started out as home-based care, soon developed into caring for grannies, orphans and vulnerable children, wellness support groups, micro business programs for recovering patients, soup kitchens and much more.

What is a story that keeps you going?

There are a lot of stories that we can share but one that really highlights the impact in the community is of a family in Khayelitsha that benefits from our community garden project. Each year we host a home garden competition with the grade 5 learners at Yomelela Primary in Khayelitsha. We train them on how to grow veggies in crates, also known as pod farming. We supply them with a tyre, soil, watering cans and seeds. At the end of the third term, we visit each student home and take photos of the gardens that are judged for the competition to determine the winners.

One time, as our team arrived at the home of one of the students, his mom was concerned that we were going to take the crate back to school and once we had explained that we are only taking a photo, she burst into tears with relief as this little home garden was the only source of fresh produce that her family was able to get each week. It was such a reminder of no matter how small the gesture, it could make a bigger impact than we realise.