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Home > Pipeline > 2007 > Autumn > Overtime
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Overtime: Ikholwa Home, Johannesburg, South Africa

Since 2005, Openwave and its South Africa-based sales team have been involved in the sponsorship and active support of the Ikholwa home in Western Johannesburg. Ikholwa is the Zulu word for hope and the home's mission is to give hope to children who have been orphaned often by the loss of their parents from AIDS. It also provides a sanctuary for children who have been infected with AIDS.

There are currently about 30 children at the home. Over 50% of them are under three years old. Ikholwa has a team of dedicated childcare workers who nurture babies from infancy. The majority of children housed by Ikholwa are black African, but the home is open to all races and creeds. The staff at Ikholwa work closely with the social services and other organizations trying to get each child adopted into a secure, stable and loving family. Should a child not be adopted, he or she will stay with the home until adulthood.

Openwave donates about $5,000 a month to Ikholwa, which doesn't include personal contributions from Openwave employees. Besides monetary support, the local Openwave team has donated time by helping with maintenance and decoration around the home. Sales Director Colin Millar even attends PTA meetings on behalf of one child.

The sad reality is that babies with HIV are not easily adopted, but if given the correct medical care, these children can live prolonged, normal lives. Local clinics and hospitals, with their medical professionals and volunteers, strengthen Ikholwa's support structure. The home administers the best medical treatment to improve each child's quality of life. Children progress from preschool at Ikhowla through the local high-school system, and then on to a tertiary education or skills training if necessary. 		 



 
Index Autumn 2007
Introduction
Interview: John Boden, Openwave's SVP, Product Management
Me 2.0
Technology Spotlight: Behold, the Power of the Widget
Overtime: Ikholwa Home, Johannesburg, South Africa
 
 
 
 
Ikholwa Home website 
 
 
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