Aurelia’s Orphanage Charity

While most Otago University students spent their university break back in their respective homes throughout New Zealand 4th year Marketing student and tutor Allie Buczkowski opted for a less conventional holiday option. Allie spent the winter holidays in the South African township of Masiphumele, Cape Town where she worked voluntarily in an orphanage operating under extreme hardship, “It was a real eye opener and an experience I’ll hold on to for life”. Masiphumele has a population of 40,000 with overcrowded schools, no police station, and an understaffed day clinic. On top of all that it's estimated that 30-40% of the community are infected with HIV and/or TB. Allie added “It seems as though the place just can’t catch a break and I feel extremely compelled to continue helping”

“To say that amenities are scarce would be a huge understatement, the region is starving and there are only a hand full of good people over there putting their hand up to do something about it” Says Buczkowski.

The orphanage is led by Aurelia Kaitesi “Aurelia was awe inspiring to me, she adopted a real holistic approach to all aspects of the children’s care, not one of those kids were there just for a bed to stay in” Allie continued “Aurelia was a true African mother Theresa if ever there was one”

It was a promise she made to Aurelia, who had overcome such immense adversity, which has seen her begin a quest to raise funds for the orphanage. “Before I left I made a promise to Aurelia that I wouldn’t forget about those kids and that I’d do what I could when I got home to New Zealand to continue my support of the orphanage”. Specifically Allie is going to raise funds for mattresses and learning equipment for the orphanages children.

Allie has set up a Facebook page (Aurelia’s Orphanage) which she is encourage people to join and has also set a website http://www.aureliasorphanage.com/ through which people can become informed and donate via the website.

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