This blog has been created to give you an insight into the life of the boys who are staying at the Vumani Outreach Centre in Ladybrand in South Africa. Scroll down to learn about how it all started and to read our latest updates, or click here to meet some of the Centre's boys. For more information, take a look at the ABOUT VUMANI and How YOU can help pages. Thank you for your support and Enjoy!
The Beginnings
The winter of 2000 was a particularly cold winter. At an altitude of 5000ft (1524 m) the night temperatures were dropping to -4 Celsius. Tucked up in her warm bed, Jessica could not sleep. Khotso's face was keeping her awake. His smile was infectious when his stomach was full and the sun was shining, but wrapped in an old grey coat, huddled round a fire at 11 o'clock at night, he was a pathetic sight. Within 24 hours, Jessica had persuaded the members of the Vumani Outreach Committee that 9 year old Khotso and his 'street pals' should be allowed to sleep in the newly built Boys' Centre.
There wasn't much to look at. The large bare room had 12 rough coir mattresses on the floor with 2 grey blankets apiece. Each evening, volunteers from nearby churches brought large pots of soup and loaves of bread and when the boys, all 12 of them, shut their eyes to thank God for the food, you knew they really meant it!
All that happened 9 years ago. Where are they now, and who is currently sleeping on the long bunk that lines the wall of the dormitory of the Vumani Outreach Centre? Keep reading to find out more!
