Zulu monarch visits Paarl orphans
2008-04-24
May Saal
THE Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelethini, and his wife, Queen Shiyiwem, visited the Miqlat Bowy House in Paarl last weekend. According to the King the Miqlat Bowy House, a place where babies and young children with HIV/Aids are taken care of, is a challenge. “We need people like these to build love in themselves and to give that love to the HIV/Aids orphans,” said the King. He also expressed his appreciation towards his “white brothers and sisters” who are willing to take care of these children. “To combat this epidemic of HIV/Aids, we should teach our children to abstain from sex,” the King said. “Life belongs to God, but we have a responsibility to take care of our bodies.” The King encouraged everyone to be a mother or father to an HIV/Aids orphan. Miqlat (Hebrew for “Place of Refuge and Hope”) has for many years been involved with the care of families and children impacted by HIV/Aids. Hester Veldsman, founder and CEO of Miqlat, had a special relationship with a boy named “Bowy”. Through him, and children like him, she became aware of the need for a place where children infected with and affected by HIV/Aids could be cared for. In 2002, through the generous support of donors, they acquired a home in Paarl South. Little Bowy unfortunately died of Aids before he could visit the home, and it was decided to name it after him. Babies and young children, either orphaned or from needy, poverty stricken families and infected with and affected by HIV/Aids, are referred to Bowy House by the hospitals, social department and police. They have on average 15 children in their care ranging in age from newborn to six years old. The children receive care according to their individual needs. If necessary they are taken to specialist clinics at Red Cross and Tygerberg Hospitals in Cape Town, physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychologists. The children also visit the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Paarl East Hospital, as well as other local clinics. Educare staff provide the necessary stimulation for the children’s development in the in-house crèche. Most of the children in their care are on anti-retroviral medicine, with positive results. They see this as a pilot project, and aim to open similar care facilities in Africa to supply a growing need for the care of children infected with or orphaned by HIV/Aids. Due to the many successes and demands from the community, Miqlat Bowy House now has a waiting list of children needing care.
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