Khayelihle Children’s Village (KCV)

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Out of an awareness of the increase of children who lost parents as a result of AIDS, a group from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe formed the Khayelihle Children’s Village (KCV) in 1992 as a response to this new reality for children. According to UNAIDS, approximately 15 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS around the world and many more are living with caregivers who are ill. In Zimbabwe, 74% of orphaned children have lost their parents due to HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

KCV has two priorities for their ministry. The first is to provide orphaned or abused children with a loving home, regular meals, education, access to health services, and spiritual support. The second priority is to connect children at the home with safe and supportive family situations when available.

Today, 24 girls and 22 boys live at KCV. Children living at the home live in home settings with a maternal and paternal figure for each child. KCV also continues to include and keep extended family members of children living at the home involved in their lives. Each child is attending primary school, high school, or enrolled in a vocational program. In 2003, KCV began a pre-school, which is located on the KCV campus, which also boasts a 270-acre farm and a thriving church just north of Bulawayo. The KCV farm is an income-generation project, which raises dairy and beef cattle, to support the home.

Update: July 2023

In 2023, KCV reports there are 42 children at the home, and all are in good health. All students attend school, with the exception of one child who is needing special education. KCV is working to find a good fit for her needs.

KCV welcomed the newest child into the home who is 13 years old and arrived in May 2023. She is currently taking anti-retro viral therapy and has mental disabilities. When she arrived, she was malnourished and sick, but her health has improved significantly since her stay at KCV where she receives nourishing meals, a loving home, and doctor check-ups.

One of the older children at KCV, a 23-year-old girl was reunited recently with her sister. Both sisters are happy to be reunited and KCV hosted a series of visits between the girls to facilitate this reunion. Another one of the older children, a 19-year-old boy has begun preparing for living independently by attending programs at a partner organization in Bulawayo. He has been adjusting well to the new environment.

There are several ongoing projects at the home to maintain all that the KCV is able to provide. Children are participants in these projects and KCV believes their participation also helps them learn and grow. These projects include:

1. The Garden: Currently, KCV is growing and selling butternut squash, carrots, and onions. They have recently planted 11,000 seedlings of cabbages, and continue preparing garden spaces to plant potatoes, green beans and green pepper in the future.

2. Rabbits: KCV has been raising and selling rabbits. Currently, 23 young ones are receiving care and food at the home.

3. Cows: A herd of 25 dairy cows are present at KCV. Several are getting old, and KCV is considering the potential to purchase new, younger dairy cows. Additionally, KCV is taking care of 10 beef cows.

Update: February 2025

CHILDREN
Enrolment:  KCV saw a drastic increase in enrollment when we enrolled 9 minors in the last quarter of 2024. In January 2024, KCV received 5 Children. The number of the children in residence at the Village thereby increased to 46. The carrying capacity of KCV is 50 hence the Department of Social Development continues to send the vulnerable children to be cared for.  KCV continues to provide shelter, education and psychosocial support to the resident and non-resident children.

Education: KCV ensures that resident children are enrolled in schools. 100% of the school age children are at school including the newly enrolled, with the exception of the three siblings who are on place of safety at KCV.

Reconnection: Five children were reunified with their families. This reduced the number of children to 41. It is never easy for the KCV staff to separate with the children after bonding with them.  The only celebratory moment is when he is leaving on work related matters.

KCV follows up on the reconnected children for two years. Some are followed on for more than two years especially if they are below the age of eighteen years. KCV uses a guideline for reconnection in partnership with the Department of Social Development who spearhead the programme of reintegration. Both organisations ensure that children are not taken back to the environments they were saved from.

Christmas Party: A Christmas party and reunion was organised for the KCV family. Eleven KCV former resident children accepted the invitation and graced the party. They were longing to be called back home. They did not come empty handed. They contributed $70USD, 48 soft drinks, 24 bottles of water for the party. Some assisted with cooking, serving and washing the dishes. Some entertained with music and dances. The idea was to give them a sense of belonging, as Christmas time is family time, as well as to remember where they grew up, and to unite them with their sibling who are still at KCV.

KCV FARM
Poultry: There are 556 broiler chickens that are two weeks old. We wish to expand the fowl run and add more chickens since running once batch is not sustainable. We also intend to establish a cold room in preparation of the increased chickens. This will enable us to run consistently and realize profit that will assist in the day to day running of KCV.

Horticulture:  In December, KCV harvested tomatoes. Currently, green beans are being harvested and sold to the market and community, though the yield was affected by the heavy rains. Potatoes are being transplanted on 3 acres. There are tomatoes in the nursery and would be transplanted in the month end of February.  

Fields: In the fields there is maize and sugar beans. The manpower and availability of rains enables the crops to grow well.

Cattle: There are 11 dairy cows and 11 beef cows. They are in good shape because of they graze on the green grass that is available because of the rains. We plan to grow fodder to feed the dairy cows cutesy of the seed donated by a farmer who is KCV neighbor.