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Situated
in Finetown, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Johannesburg
you will find the Zenzele
Day Care Centre and Orphanage.Finetown is a poor shanty town. 75% of the people who live there are unemployed and the HIV/AIDS virus is rife – affecting the whole community.
In 1996 a local woman, Winnie Mabaso, noticed that there were lots of children whose parents were dying because of HIV/AIDS. These children were hungry, frightened and alone. Winnie was moved by compassion and began feeding them.
This act of kindness which began with just a few bowls of soup grew into the biggest act of kindness I have ever known. By the time I met Winnie in 2004 she was feeding up to 1700 children every week. In addition to this Winnie had begun a Day Care Centre for pre-school children and babies.
In 2005 we were able to help Winnie in her dream of opening an orphanage which now provides a home to 60 orphans from Finetown.
Very sadly in January 2007, Winnie passed away following a short illness.
We
were all devastated at the loss of such an extraordinary woman but we
are all determined that the Winnie Mabaso Foundation will continue in
her honour.These dear children who have already gone through such sadness need a place to call home. A haven. That was Winnie's wish and that is what Zenzele is all about.
Lisa Ashton