Loaves and Fishes Network

An Overview

NPO Number: 050-574

Our VisionAchieve effective and sustainable childcare and development in the Eastern Cape by developing children emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually and to their full potential.

Our MissionRespond to the needs of children, especially those most vulnerable by providing safety, nutrition, mental stimulation, and intervention against abuse, discrimination and illness

Please note that the Vision and Mission of LAFN is currently being revised, however the essence of the Vision and Mission Statements will not change.

NPO Number: 050-574

Our History LFN grew out of RESEARCH in 2003 of orphaned and poor children in

Duncan Village and surrounding villages.Revealed extreme deprivation, hunger, neglect and abuse. It also

identified community women who, “out of their own pockets”, took in and fed these children.Dr Thomas and Dr Frost – needed to do somethingUntil 2006, relied on East London community generosity & volunteers

delivered these donations. 2006-2009: Dept Soc Dev funded. Opened a depot/office, bought a

vehicle, employed staff. 2006: 5 centres supported.2009 to date: Gov funding withdrawn, private funding.2012: 24 centres, 1000+ children, 2 meals a day

NPO Number: 050-574

What we DO - overview

LAFN

Feeding

Orphans & Vulnerable

Children

Fund -raising

Training

Infra -structure

NPO Number: 050-574

What We Do - Feeding and OVC

Support 26 child care centres in and around East London1367 children fed on a daily basis – 2 meals per day at day

care centresOVC – in order to reach the most vulnerable, those children

often not even at centres. Required spend: R60,000 – R80,000 per month on food.Design a food nutrition programme.

NPO Number: 050-574

What We Do - Training

Background: Child minders at centres we support usually have no

childcare training.Childcare techniques normally VERY poor and often

detrimental to children. Children cramped into hot shacks and under-equipped

venues. Carers themselves grew up in these condition. Quality of the first 7 years of a child’s life = main

determinant of future social, psychological, intellectual and spiritual growth.

NPO Number: 050-574

What We Do - Training

Have had a programme that caters for the above to turn these conditions around.26 centres divided into 5 clusters according to geographic

proximity. Each cluster allocated a training officer. Prepare child carers at centres for 1 year qualification -

Further Education and Training Certificate in Early Childhood Development. LAFN Training Support Officers provide support before,

during and after qualification for defined time period.Ensure sustainability!

NPO Number: 050-574

What We Do - Training

Ongoing development of LAFN training support officersProvide weekly training sessionsRegular workshopsWork with psychologists – monthly case study groupsDemonstration teachingSupports and supervises child-carersAim to achieve quality childcare in difficult circumstances Assessments of child carer development and centre

development to ensure quality control Centre “makeovers”

NPO Number: 050-574

What We Do - Training

What We Do – Infrastructural Development Assess infrastructural needs of each centre supported

(buildings, play equipment, layout of centres, space required according to numbers of children in centre, other facilities)Developing prototypes and blueprints of requirements. Memorandum of Understandings signed with Centres

prior to offering support. Asset register maintained.

What We Do – Infrastructural Development

Who We Are

10 staff members – employed on year to year contract (not ideal):Manager – Pateka Mtintsilana (Institute of Race Relations,

Operation Hunger, co-ordinator for detainees in Border area with Amnesty International, Lawyers for Human Rights)

1 Training Co-ordinator6 Training Support OfficersReceptionistHandyman

8 Board Members

NPO Number: 050-574

Our Board – the Executive Chairperson: Brendan Connellan – Operations and Compliance Director of NVest

Financial Holdings Group (incl NFB). Deputy Chairperson: Jayshree Thakrar – Director of Community Engagement –

University of Fort Hare. Secretary: Canon Lulama Ntshingwa – Anglican of St Martins by the Sea (Gonubie),

Eastern Cape AIDS Council. Chief Exec, Head EC Provincial Council Churches. Treasurer: Peter Connell. Education: Margarent Irvine – ECD Specialist Networking: Ntombazana Botha – Lawyers for Human Rights, MP, Dep Minister of

Arts & Culture, sat on National Executive, crèche in Duncan Village. Fundraising: Jenita Chiba – Social Work lecturer, UFH.

NPO Number: 050-574

Our Environment Socio-Economic survey in 2007 showed:

less than 50% of children supported in care of mothers 20% of children supported in household earning R240 per month. 40% of children at centres from households earning R500 or less per

month. 75% of all children supported (incl OVC) from households earning R500 or

less per month. 35% children under-nourished. At least 6.4% of children were HIV+ and 16% of parents. The above were some of the better off children in the community! Hence

OVC / Special Needs programme. 86% of fathers not present (dead, sick, unemployed or deserted). 15% of homes – NO income. 41% of rural children no receiving Child Support Programme.

NPO Number: 050-574

Our Environment

LAFN reaches poor children in poor communities and makes a

difference!

NPO Number: 050-574

Our Needs

Operational Costs: R120,000 per month (to achieve minimum) Currently extremely low on funding Embarked on various fundraising efforts - e.g. Debit Order

for Survival Campaign (1500 people in EL to sign a debit order averaging R40 pm by end Feb)

Need: People to donate time – fundraising, doctors, social

workers, psychologists, website maintenance etc Monetary donations – monthly or lump sums Non-cash items (food, toys, children’s clothes, furniture,

books etc)Companies – choosing LAFN as a CSI project

NPO Number: 050-574

We need your help to keep our doors open and hopes

alive...

Thank you!

NPO Number: 050-574