Stichting Jabulani Kids Zimbabwe

Foundation Jabulani Kids Zimbabwe

Foundation Jabulani Kids Zimbabwe supports the King George VI Children's Rehabilitation and Learning Centre in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The King George VI Centre provides rehabilitation, housing and education to children from all over Zimbabwe. These children range from ages of three to eighteen years and are physically disabled and / or deaf.

Establishment

Foundation Jabulani Kids Zimbabwe exists since November 2001. The creation of JKZ was then initiated by a number of people who had done volunteer work at KGVI in Bulawayo. Upon returning to the Netherlands, these young people did not want the Centre to be a forgotten cause and thus decided to continue their efforts for the children of the King George VI Centre. The creation of Foundation Jabulani Kids Zimbabwe was the result.

Goal

The sole purpose of the foundation is to support KGVI. Our main activity is raising funds for the Centre to support it financially. We receive donations from individuals, businesses, schools, churches and other funds.

Volunteers

The Foundation also helps the Centre by finding volunteers, especially for the departments of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. JKZ organizes information evenings for those interested, and acts as a ‘middleman’ for the establishment of contacts between a volunteer and the Centre. Volunteers in daily practice mean a lot for the Centre: they have a positive effect on the atmosphere in the Centre and on the motivation of both the children receiving full rehabilitation and the permanent staff.

'Jabulani'

Jabulani is a word from the Ndebele, the language spoken in western Zimbabwe, where Bulawayo is located. Jabulani means "happiness" or "joy", as the atmosphere of joy and happiness in the Centre is noticeable by anyone who visits it. This atmosphere is due to the cheerfulness and hope of the children and staff, despite all the problems they face every day.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and became independent in 1980. Already in 1950 a small Centre for disabled children opened in Bulawayo. This expanded further and in 1953 the building of the current Centre commenced. In 1957, the Queen Mother officially opened the Centre. The Centre is named after her deceased husband, King George VI, who also lived with a disability (see the movie "The King's Speech"). After independence, the new government invested very little in the Centre. Especially since the outbreak of the great economic crisis in Zimbabwe, there is little money for special education or special facilities for the disabled. Thus the Centre became poorer and poorer and struggles for money until the present day. The current political and economic instability in Zimbabwe has led to rising costs, higher school fees, and a significant increase in the price of food and other necessities. Further, many people die of AIDS in Zimbabwe, more and more children at the Centre have lost one or both of their parents or guardians. Partially for this reason, children need a place, a home