Tiny Busi (not her real name) sat patiently in her high chair, greeting everyone who arrived for the official opening of Izibusiso Foster Home 2 in Zwelihle last week.
Busi is one of two babies and a toddler housed at the new foster home, fondly known as Izi 2, that officially opened its doors on Thursday 22 June. This was made possible through funds raised by the annual Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Walk.
“In all, R700 000 was raised to go towards the house, but we spent a bit more,” explained Sheila Lyle, chairperson of Izibusiso.
The money was well spent on turning the house into a warm and welcoming space for six children and two house mothers. The house was re-modelled, one bedroom was extended to comfortably house five spacious cots, cupboards and a changing table and the en suite bathroom was kitted out with toilets suitable for toddlers, a double sink, bath and a washing machine and tumble dryer.
Izibusiso was founded in 2009 as a joint venture between the United Church and Hermanus Child Welfare. It became an independent foster home in June 2021. Since its inception, Izibusiso has fostered more than 140 children until suitable adoptive parents for each child could be found. The house accommodates six children, some of whom arrive when they are only a few hours old, and two house mothers.
The need for a second home, said Lyle, had been apparent for quite some time. It was only after being selected as the main beneficiary of the Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse 2023 Walk that this dream became a reality.
Approximately 120 walkers who participated in two batches in this year’s four-day walk from the Agulhas Lighthouse to Danger Point Lighthouse raised more than R700 000 towards the cause. Local businesswoman Leatitia Dry Coetzer managed to raise a whopping R90 000 of this money for Izibusiso.
Michele Serfontein, the L2L chairperson, thanked all the participants for making this possible. She added: “Where remarkable people are involved remarkable things happen.”
Bevan Sylvester, the new minister at United Church Hermanus, described the new foster home as a place of “healing and transformation” and thanked all those involved.
“Many young children who come to live here will find love, grace and care,” he added.
Although the renovations of the house are complete, it still needs some small touches, such as swings and a climbing frame for the children and a two-seater couch and/or two lounge chairs. Donations of disposable nappies for a newborn and size 4-5 are also needed.
