ITHEMBA – Circle of Hope
A network of women committed to supporting women
in vulnerable communities.
We have launched a network of women who share the same human values of wanting to ensure that women everywhere have the same opportunities to build the safe, healthy and stimulating home environment that children need to thrive.
Ithemba means ‘hope’, ‘trust’, and ‘faith’ in Xhosa. For us, it says everything about the community-led, peer support projects that One to One Children’s Fund champions, in partnership with local communities to help them make the positive changes they want for their children. We see Ithemba as an empowering way for women in the UK and South Africa to get involved, collaborate and play an active role in contributing to change by supporting the One to One Mentor Mothers.
MEMBERSHIP
Our members come from a range of backgrounds and professions and Young Ithemba inspires women in the early stages of their career to get involved in philanthropy. Whatever the age, all Circle of Hope members are advocates for creating change for women and children in neglected and isolated communities.
To join Ithemba, members make an annual gift to One to One which will give you:
- Opportunities to meet with leaders from the field and learn first-hand about the delivery challenges and how best to address them.
- Invitations to select events, including 4 talks a year from experts in women and child health and early childhood development.
- Direct access to the One to One team on the frontline.
- Invitations to One to One Art for ART live events in London and Cape Town.
- Opportunities to connect with a network of 15-20 like-minded women in the UK and South Africa.
- Chance to use your time and talents to support women who have not had the same opportunities in life.
- Invitation to visit projects in our communities (when conditions permit), participate in workshops and meet with frontline experts from the UK and South Africa.
OUR FLAGSHIP PROJECT
One to One Africa’s Ithemba Circle of Hope’s inaugural project, for which we are requesting support, is the launch of our mobile clinic, in areas of the O.R. Tambo district, Eastern Cape, that we have not yet been able to access.
With this clinic, we aim to bring consistent care and health communication to the most remote communities, with a particular focus on maternal and child health outcomes. Members from the community will be able to access clinical support from an onboard nurse, as well as counselling, psychosocial support and health awareness from a Mentor Mother. They will have access to HIV and TB testing, vaccinations, micro-nutrients to combat malnutrition, pre-and ante-natal care and support, and receive an urgent referral and transfer to hospitals and clinics where necessary.
The power of this mobile clinic is immense, supported by the Department of Health, we will be able to reach a staggering 1,500 women and children every month with lifesaving health care, treatment and support.
