Focus on iThemba, a non-profit organisation overlooking the Valley of 1000 Hills, is an inspiring place that not only restores hope to the children residing on the campus but also takes time to reach out to the local community.

Providing quality cluster foster homes for children headed by loving parents is one of the goals of iThemba. Recently Shane and Lara Whittaker, parents from one of the homes (Joshua House), were able to give back to a group of children residing in the Valley of a 1000 Hills. The couple and their children visited an impoverished community in the Valley and handed out backpacks generously donated by the ‘Containers of Hope’ initiative. The backpacks were overflowing with blankets, toys, stationery and books.

“It broke our hearts to see these children and know so many of them are sick - you wish you could just magically will it away, but poverty and the AIDS pandemic are ravaging their families,” explained Lara. “But to see the look of delight on their faces as we handed out the backpacks was wonderful. Deep from within the recess of their soul they allowed but for only a moment their eyes to light up in belief that this bag was actually theirs.  It probably was the most lavish gift that they have ever received.”

The juxtaposition of the communities residing in the valley compared to just a few kilometres away is overwhelming and it was uplifting for the iThemba team to spread the message of hope and bring light into the eyes of local children.