Since 1822 St. Lucia was world renowned as a wild life and fishing destination. British rule proclaimed it a township and with the increase in hunting, the crown foresaw to proclaim the Water area and Islands as a Game Reserve on 27 April 1895. Since the early Porteguse travelers called the area "Terra Dos Fumos", and names for the place came and went. The main inhabitants where the Nguni tribe on the Zulu Nation, that occupied the region North of the Tugela and South of Algoa Bay.
Just 10 minutes south of the town of St.Lucia, Monzi falls within the southern edge proclaimed World Heritage Site of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. Monzi, just 29 feet above sea level is also adjacent to the the coastal lowland Dukuduku indigenous forest -- located in a regional environment where access to subsistence farming land and economic opportunities have dwindled, there is a history of poverty and land dispossession among thousands of people who have sought refuge within the adjacent Dukuduku forest sanctuary.
Timothy Maphanga, a Dukuduku "forest leader" described Monzi in 1999: "There is no work at that Monzi place. There is nothing to eat there." -- no cabbages, bananas, oranges or any other thing which we can eat or sell. Additionally, water is scarce and must be hauled in. Typical shalllow "sand-point" water wells result in only brackish-water that is unusable. All in all, Monzi is an area racked by AIDS and extreme poverty. Where water is so precious that no one bathes in the traditional sense.
In Monzi, the needs are extreme. A local sugar cane farmer is trying to make a difference, but his family needs help. To this end CESLA was able to help finish a creche' for AIDS orphans. The day following the finishing of the roof, 59 AIDS orphans were sitting outside waiting to be invited in. All these kids hope for is for some attention, a bite of food, and someone to care. It is not uncommon to see kids hugging themselves, banding together where 8 and nine year-olds take cate of toddler, ...often eating fruit covered with sand, discarded on the ground by foraging monkeys.
Maybe you would like to help the kids of Monzi, or assist the local farmer in making a difference for these forgotten children.

"CLICK" on the thumbnail pictures below to see larger phototgraphs!

ADDING THE CRECHE' ROOF & SOME OF THE "OVC'S"
CESLA was fortunate to be able to partner with a local FBO in Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal in completing a Creche for AIDS orphans.
A local sugar came farmer, seeing the extreme need of the indigenous people built a creche with local builders. The roof turned out to be sub-standard and had to be removed. A new roof system was designed by members of the Mtunzini Christial Fellowship and installed. Later a rainwater collection system was added to the roof to suply much need water for the locals.

A YOUNG GIRL IN CHARGE OF A FAMILY