Success Story: Ndileka Xameni, An Angel in Langa

Ndileka Xameni runs the Siyaphambili Orphan Village, one of the recipients of our Orphan and Vulnerable Children's Program (OVC). She has devoted her life to caring for children whose lives have been affected by the scourge of AIDS. The following is a reprint from the January 22nd issue of Drum Magazine.

There's a house in Langa township outside of Cape Town where the joyful sound of children playing almost never ceases. This is the home of Ndileka Xameni. She's called "Nosicelo", which means gift from God. She lives there with her husband, her three children and the 25 AIDS orphans (ages 4 to 18) she has taken into her care. It's a modest house and the children live in cramped quarters, but it's also a place for brightness and hope.

While working in Mitchells's Plain at Lentegeur Hospital as a qualified social worker, Ndileka started delivering letters from AIDS patients in her ward to their children living in Langa. The letters brought comfort to the youngsters but Ndileka wanted to do more. So in 2005 she quit her job, turned her house into a haven and started the Siyaphambili orphanage. "To start with we dug out of our own pockets" says Ndileka, "but today we have assistance through donations."

Apart from running Siyaphambili, Ndileka also runs programmes for 210 children who live with their gogos, provides aftercare for about 60 children, runs a support group for grannies who look after their orphaned grandchildren and facilitates teen-mother support groups. "When the noise gets too much and I want to rest, I run away to friends", she jokes.

Ndileka also loves cooking and is often in the kitchen preparing delicious meals that ensure full stomachs and smiles on innocent faces.

Here at the Novalis Ubuntu Institute we feel both honoured and blessed to be working with Ndileka, and look forward to continuing to support her through our OVC Program.