OUR STORY
Working Towards a Better Tomorrow
St John the Divine Orphans and Outreach began in 2002 as a Church Outreach. We could not ignore the cry and the pain of vulnerable orphans left behind by the high rate of HIV and the AIDS Pandemic.
We are registered as a section 21 non-profit organization, and Section 18 A, which legalized the operation of our charity in accordance with the South African frame-work of taking care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
Our Vision
To care for orphans and vulnerable children, remove the stigma of being an orphan, and alleviate poverty and suffering by facilitating programs that make a change in our community.
Value Proposition
Bana Pele is a Tswana idiom simply translated to mean: The Children Come First. Indeed, it takes a village to raise a child. St. John's Orphans and Outreach strives to develop in our children an independence mindset where they learn to make responsible life choices.
Main Objectives
To identify orphans and vulnerable children, register them in our data base, promote and mobilize all their basic needs in accordance to the rights of children in the South African Constitution.
Our Model
Instead of placing children in a traditional orphanage, we provide Home Based Care where children are not living in an institution, rather stay in their own home environment under the guardianship of Grannies, relatives, siblings, and foster parents. In this type of model, children are likely to experience a family environment and feel less like an orphan. Home Base Care allows the children to enjoy living at home while using all community facilities as other young people. They will grow up under a traditional family environment with a rich culture.
Achievements
Since 2002, we have reached our main objective of identifying, registering, and developing our children’s self esteem. St. John the Divine Orphans and Outreach has built trust with our stake holders and supporting organizations, and most importantly, our children are able to live freely and use their God-given talents!
Our Story
Join us for an afternoon chat with Patricia Marite as she shares her story and that of St. John the Divine Orphans and Outreach. What was the vision behind starting St. John's? How do they serve over 400 children from the community? What are their future aspirations and how can YOU help be apart of changing these children's lives for the better?
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of St. John the Divine Orphans and Outreach. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop.
MILTON TSEKISO MARITE
Director and Chairman
REV. GWYN SLADE
Director and Treasurer
PATRICIA SALOME MARITE
Managing Director
HENK SWANEVELDER
Technology Consultant