In the small town of Meyerton, 15km north of Vereeniging in Gauteng, the Doulos Care Centre takes special care of vulnerable children, many of whom have been affected by or are living with HIV. The centre was founded in July 2003 by Emma van der Merwe, a Zimbabwean who immigrated to South Africa in 1980.
Anglo American’s New Vaal colliery has pledged R216,000 to cover the center’s operating costs until September 2014.
As part of its workplace response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the mine wellness team takes both employees and contractors to Doulos to give them a first-hand picture of how the pandemic affects the lives of children in South Africa.
Doulos provides a comprehensive service to ensure that vulnerable children maintain dignified lifestyles and are treated with care and respect. Its team provides accommodation and individualised 24-hour supervision for 39 children who would have no care and security otherwise.
Its founder’s vision was inspired after she lost her mother to an AIDS-related illness. “I was deeply touched after nursing my own mother who passed away in August 1998, and decided to establish a care centre where I could help others through similar experiences,” says van der Merwe.
New Vaal general manger Brent Hamilton says that the mine’s continued support of Doulos is aligned with the company’s overall commitment to the welfare of children.
“Our aim is to ensure that we make a sustainable impact on the communities where we operate and build lasting relationships that will make a real and remarkable difference in their lives. Our drive to increase HIV/AIDS awareness is inspired by Anglo American’s value of care and respect - for our employees, their family members and the community at large. We are therefore proud to support Doulos in the sterling work that it does.”
