Welcome to AlYateem - Your Gateway to Lighting up an Orphans Life
Flag of South Africa South Africa

Map of South Africa

Until 1994 South Africa was ruled by a minority who enforced an apartheid policy. Townships were established as a direct result of apartheid, and the poorest and most vulnerable people settled in them . As a consequence, children in the poorest townships face abject living conditions. Disease is widespread, and there is a high crime rate associated with the high unemployment.

In 2005 the UN estimated that there were 1.2 million children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa. Many children are born HIV positive. Others are left in sole charge of their families when their parents die.The impact on the welfare of poverty stricken AIDS-affected children is huge. The government has recently, after much delay, devoted resources to fighting the epidemic.

» Country Statistics «
Official Name: Republic of South Africa
(Republiek van Suid-Afrika)
Capital: Pretoria
Population: 44.18 million (2006)
Population Projection: -0.4%
Languages: IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, English, Setswana
Life Expectancy: - N.A. -
Infant Mortality: 60.66 out of 1,000 births
Literacy Rate: Male - 86.4% | Female - 85.7%
Gross National Product: US$ 12,000 per capita

Islamic Relief in South Africa

IR has been working in South Africa since 2003 focusing on two areas - Vlakfontein, and the informal settlements of Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg. These latter include Mountain view, Fine town, Kapok squatter camp, and Hope Field squatter camp.

The Orphans Sponsorship Programme began in August 2005 in the Gauteng Province. The programme focuses on AIDS-affected orphans, where either the mother is HIV positive or the orphans themselves have been infected with the disease.

Orphans' Programme

The South African government provides a social security safety net in the form of state grants. However, there is a problem getting children registered in order to access these grants. There is a huge backlog of children waiting to be registered resulting in a waiting period of 24-36 months for children to be recognised and processed.

The delay in accessing state support leaves children very vulnerable and incidences of child trafficking, sexual abuse and involvement in crime and violence have been on the increase. Islamic Relief aims to support orphans on the social services waiting list until their grants are received.

IR provides orphans with practical and social support. Child-headed families receive support in the form of a monthly food parcel and where possible blankets and clothing during winter and materials required for schooling at the beginning of the year.

Click here to sponsor orphan Donate to Orphans' General Fund