Every Child Deserves a Family

SARAH MACKINTOSH CHATTED TO LEANNE AND KIM LORRANCE-BROWN, FOUNDERS OF LIKHON ITHEMBA AND HOLAH BABY HOME.

Leanne and Kim met in a young age I wanted to eight years ago and they Australia, where they help less fortunate children have come so far from then, were both doing care work. and be able to give them a learnt so much and grown Leanne has always had better start to life and better so much as an organisation an interest in working with future. Leanne really wanted and as individuals. special needs children and to adopt and I wasn’t quite “Having one child at a adults. She is from the UK ready for that. We spent time didn’t last very long - and Kim is from Durban. some time in other baby there are so many children

When they decided to homes, volunteering and that need a safe home and move to South Africa, they learning about how they we just couldn’t say no!” knew if they were going to run. And we were hooked - explains Kim. “The first live in here, they had to do we decided that we needed child that we ever took in something to help make a to start something like this,” at HOLAH was Soldier. He difference. “South Africa explains Kim. was five months old when is a beautiful country with And so House of Love and he came to us. His family incredible people, but there Hope (HOLAH) was born. were struggling and they is so much poverty, strug- Their plan then was to start wanted a better life for him. gling, heartache. You can’t off small - have one little We were thrilled to receive live here and not do some- baby at a time and look after our first baby, but also very thing to help others when them until they could be re- apprehensive. Within a few there are so many that need united with biological fami- months of Solider joining us, support,” says Kim. lies, or they find a forever we knew there was no way

“I am adopted, so from family. That was just over we were going to ever let this

little guy leave us. We have stayed in contact with his biological family and try to visit them every year.”

Two years and many babies later, Kim and Leanne fell in love with a little guy, Ryder, who was three years old and at another baby house and they were able to adopt him. Ryder’s biological mom couldn’t take care of him, and she too wanted the best for her son, so gave him up at birth. “Our third child, Vera-May, won our hearts immediately. This little beautiful soul has such an effect on everyone she meets, you can’t help but fall in love with her. Vera is five now,” says Kim.

“Our passion is adoption, helping the vulnerable and working with special needs. We are dedicated to providing a safe and loving environment for those children that are left with no-one. We are adamant that our home is not an institution. Every child that comes into our care, whether it is for a night or a year, is loved, made to feel secure, nurtured and has all their needs met.”

HOLAH has recently moved to a stunning homestead in Crestholme, Waterfall. Kim was lucky enough to receive inheritance and with this was able to secure a property. This new home is the best place for children to grow and develop, heal and learn - away from the city and in the country.

“What they will learn here is going to be the foundation of their future. We have a cottage for our children with special needs and a cottage for our babies that are in crisis care. We have the space to eventually expand and set up a long term special needs home - as our kids get older and they are unable to be adopted because of their disabilities and we want to give them the security that they will be with us forever.

“We have a small greenhouse where we are growing an assortment of fruit and veg, but we plan on using some of the grounds to grow all our own vegetables, again to help us become more self -sustainable and not reply on the public. We are also getting the older children involved in planting and growing veg, collecting chicken eggs and taking care of the animals.”

Besides HOLAH, Likhon iThemba has a few other initiatives. They also run BOP (Bowl of Plenty) - an outreach programme. They help different people in need or other NPOs with food and clothing donations, sourcing equipment and more. Another project is the Vikela Baby Saver – this is a way for mothers who are struggling to get help and advice from HOLAH - they can guide them on safer and better ways to give their child up, rather than abandoning them, or to help support them, should they want to keep their child.

The Charity Hop Shop was established in 2016. The reason for the shop is to bring in much-needed funds to run all the projects under Likhon iThemba. They have converted a beautiful, old Glenwood home into a unique, eclectic charity shop. They accept all donations - women and men’s clothes, kids’ clothes, appliances, sports equipment, household items, and more - as long as they are in working order.

“We never thought we would be where we are today, we have helped over 80 children and families. We have adopted three amazing children and we are living in the best space for these children to grow up in. But we could not have reached this dream if it was not for everyone that has supported us from the very beginning. We need our family, friends, staff, board members, volunteers and supporters to keep us going. Thank you to everyone that has been there for us and who continue to support what we do,” conclude Leanne and Kim.

If you would like to help Likhon iThemba, through volunteering or donations, you can get in touch with them to find out where they need help. Visit www.likhonithemba.co.za.