www.ubunye.org - Sponsor a Child

The Melkbos Care Centre is a registered non-profit organisation 050-535-NPO , and is also a registered Public Benefit Organisation 930023847-PBO.

We believe that with just a little help these children can rise above their circumstances. The help that we receive from our sponsors and donors goes a long way to ensuring the success of our children's positive development.
To date, we have been unfunded by any government department and rely solely on private donations.

The Melkbos Care Centre is a lifeline for vulnerable and orphaned children living in the Rietvlei Bush informal settlement near Cape Town in South Africa. The Ubunye sponsorship programme is dedicated to improving care and educational opportunities for these children.

We sincerely believe that a good education is a key to success and therefore, is the most fundamental aspect to achieve in order to provide these children with a better future.

Unlike you and me these children do not have a home with running water and electricity, they live in make shift shacks which do not protect them from extreme weather conditions. The children come to the Centre everyday to receive a warm meal, for some this may be the only warm meal for the day, they also enjoy a warm bath and clean clothes for school the next day. We also provide the children with transport to and from school, and the support structure needed to complete homework assignments and projects.

The children who attend Melkbos Care Centre previously attended a farm school where the level of education was of very poor standard, so each year at the farm school meant another year that each child would be left far behind other learners their age attending better schools. The level of education at the farm school was so poor that some of the children aged 12 years could barely read or write.

The Ubunye Project was established to ensure that these children were afforded a good education (all children have now been successfully enrolled into schools where they receive quality education) and is dedicated to improving their care and educational opportunities. We sincerely believe that a good education is a key to success and therefore, is the most fundamental aspect to achieve in order to provide these children with a better future.

This project unites vulnerable children with individual sponsors who wish to address the child's social and educational needs. The primary aim of this project is to ensure the sustainability of the Melkbo Care Centre and a brighter future for all children.

If you wish to become a sponsor you will make an immediate difference in a child's life.

Your sponsorship will contribute towards a child's education, welfare, medical expenses and an overall brighter future. You can become a sponsor for as little as R6.70 per day. Sponsorship can be paid monthly (R200.00), quarterly (R600.00) or yearly (R2400.00).
As a sponsor you are kindly offered a photo and background information on your sponsored child. Each child’s progress is closely monitored and you will receive progress reports bi-annually. This will allow you to directly monitor your wonderful investment in a child’s life.

Your contribution will change a child’s life forever. If you wish to expereince the gift of giving please contact us This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and we will forward you further information.

Wish List
Below please find our wish list and areas where we are in need.

Large Items needed
Vehicle to transport children in; Kombi/Hi-Ace/Sprinter

Borehole and irrigation system

Smaller Items needed
Fridge
New Stove
Trampoline

Full wetsuits for ages 10 - 13
New educational toys/games

Vitamins
Yearly supply of a complete multi-nutrient for children containing vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids

Other Areas

Project Homework
Volunteers to assist with homework in the afternoons, one day a week for two hours
Monday 14h15 - 16h30
Tuesday 14h15 - 16h30
Wednesday 14h15 - 16h30
Thursday 14h15 - 16h30
Friday 14h00 - 16h30

Accountant
Once a month for a morning/afternoon to assist with financial administration.

General Property Maintenance
Any day of the week 08h30 – 13h00

Fundraising
Ubunye Project – volunteers dedicated to acquiring sponsors for the Ubunye Sponsor a Child programme
Operating Costs Project – volunteers to assist in the planning and running of projects aimed at covering the operating costs of the centre.

Garden
Beds on pavement area in need of makeover
Beds alongside house in need of extra plants

All donations can be paid direct into our bank account, or by monthly debit order. Please find our details below or contact us for a direct debit order form at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it