Our Journey Mission

What We Are Doing!
Our Journey's programs provide care for thousands of families and orphaned children in conjunction with the South African Organization Zimele (Zulu for "standing on your own two feet"). With the death of parents, older siblings and grandparents are left to care for younger children. It has become very challenging for both families and communities to care for increasing numbers of orphaned children.
The immediate aim of our out-reach programs are: Education - to provide uniforms and educational supplies so children can attend school; to establish pre-school and after-school programs that will give children a safe environment with supplemental food and a chance to learn English. Scholarships - to provide local Zulu people with the opportunity to receive certification in early childhood education enabling them to staff the community schools. Physical Needs - to meet the immediate needs of families by providing food, schooling, and housing. This includes establishing community gardens and construction of houses and schools. Skills Development - to strengthen families' capacity to become self-sufficient through providing life-skills, agricultural and business training.
Future programs in planning stages are: Work Group Opportunities - opportunities for groups of volunteers to build much-needed housing and community facilities. Foster Grandparent Program - pairing orphaned children with adults whose own families have been decimated by the ravages of AIDS.