Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - September 20, 2005
Claire Keeton

When 12-year-old Thieho Mariti got his first "pay cheque" for R100, he bought meat for the uncle who takes care of him.

The income he earns by making bead jewellery is paid directly into his own bank account, although adults advise him on how to manage his finances.

Thieho is one of five orphans in the "Jewels of Hope" project at Ladybrand Hospice. The orphans earn enough to cover their household costs and, since the project started last September, their income has increased steadily.

Their pay of R600 each for the past two months is approaching the monthly amount earned by individual pensioners and on which the Manyatseng community, in Ladybrand in the Free State, survives.

Jewellery project co-ordinator Anita Rushton says that Mariti, who lost his parents in 1998, is a disciplined boy.

The group meets once a week after school at the Ladybrand Hospice and takes work home. The demand for the group's jewellery exceeds supply.

The children were sad when a brother and sister from their group died this year.

Death is always present at the hospice. Director Candy Dixie said the hospice had about five deaths a month.

The week when the Sunday Times visited the hospice one of the new patients, who had delightedly received a welcome pack of toiletries just the previous week, had died.

In the past year, two home-based carers have died, as well as 55 patients. The soaring death toll leaves children vulnerable and the hospice is trying to protect them.

Neo Naleli, a counsellor, said a survey of foster parents showed their main problem was "money, money, money".

Ladybrand Hospice works with foster parents and orphans, as well as patients.

Social work manager Boteng Hlalele usually does follow-ups on cases, particularly the assessments for child-support and foster-care grants.

The hospice has built an efficient relationship with the magistrate, as well as the departments of Social Development and Home Affairs in Ladybrand, facilitating access to grants.

Since 2003 the hospice staff accessed 225 foster-care grants, bringing almost R1.3-million into stricken households in the townships of Mauers Nek and Manyatseng.

Hlalele says: "We used to see abandoned, hungry children with their skin not shiny; now they are fed and going to school."

When it comes to food security, the hospice gardens project has made a contribution.

Mamotsoeli Anna Noe, 55, is one of several grandmothers caring for her orphaned grandchildren and cultivating a garden with spinach, cabbage, carrots and broad beans.

With hospice support, she has flourishing crops behind her house, and even has lilies and snowdrops at the gate.

Another project that helps people with HIV is "Threads of Hope", a sewing group.

Regina Ramabenyane, 33, who joined last year, has three children in her care after her 25-year-old sister died last year.

The group does beadwork, crocheting and sewing to raise money.

The Ladybrand Hospice:

* Has two nurses and home-based care staff and volunteers to support about 115 patients, 90% of whom are HIV positive;

* Assists about 10 new orphans a month and has helped 570 orphans in total since 2001; and

* Runs a day-care centre for 14 children.

The hospice is eager to expand. It needs a day-care centre and also a workshop for its income-generating projects, presently conducted outdoors. Any corporate sponsors who can help are asked to phone Candy Dixie on 082 855-5782.

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