Material Well-being:

In many instances, caregivers do not have the resources to meet the most basic needs of the children in their care or even to obtain the basic documentation required to apply for state grants for which they qualify. To address some of these challenges Thandanani undertakes a range of activities aimed at addressing the basic material needs of these households.

Participants repeatedly indicated the extent to which the material support we provided was critical in ensuring survival and providing hope.

Physical Well-being:

Many of the children we work with have been orphaned as a result of HIV & Aids. Some may themselves have contracted the virus as well. In instances, the health of children is compromised by poor nutrition, inadequate health awareness on the part of their caregivers, or because caregivers cannot afford the transport costs involved in accessing health care services for the children in their care. To address some of these challenges Thandanani provides a range of health services to households on our database.

Cognitive Well-being:

When families are unable to provide for the basic needs of their children, or when children are rendered vulnerable by the loss of one or more of their parents or a similar trauma the risk of children dropping out of school is significantly increased. To reduce this risk Thandanani undertakes a range of activities aimed at supporting the education of the children on our database.

Emotional Well-being:

Many of the children we work with have experienced significant hardship and loss. Many have experienced the loss of their childhood in having to care for their dying parents and most have experienced the hardship of a lack of income, shelter, food, care and love following this loss. Similarly, many of the caregivers on Thandanani’s database have experienced significant hardship and loss while carrying significant burdens of care.