About Us
The Context
The Eden Kid's Foundation was established in response to a need at the Masukwana/Jika Joe Informal Settlements, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. This community is situated between the old 'East Street' and the N3 along the Dorp Spruit river. These may be the least privileged children in the so called "Aids capital of Africa." Children meet in the afternoons with Nhlaka, but the conditions are very difficult. There was no running water, no play facilities and no toilets. Pastor Joel felt a calling to get involved and over the years has built a relationship of trust with the children and community workers. The kids have started attending sunday school, camps and holiday clubs organised in conjunction with the church. He has helped the children by establishing a source of clean running water and a flush toilet. Pastor Joel has initiated the Eden Kid's Garden project and a secured play area with swings and jungle gym. The children walk 3km every day from school to meet in the dilapidated Tatham Cricket Pavillion for homework, lifeskills, sport, crafts and spiritual input. Pastor Joel has brought another dimension to the program by networking with individuals, companies and organisations to secure aid and support. Plans are afoot by local authorities to reassign the building in favour of a housing program which would leave the children with limited options. Eden Kids Foundation Trust is a registered N.G.O (No 134-604NGO).
The Eden Kid's Foundation was established in response to a need at the Masukwana/Jika Joe Informal Settlements, Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. This community is situated between the old 'East Street' and the N3 along the Dorp Spruit river. These may be the least privileged children in the so called "Aids capital of Africa." Children meet in the afternoons with Nhlaka, but the conditions are very difficult. There was no running water, no play facilities and no toilets. Pastor Joel felt a calling to get involved and over the years has built a relationship of trust with the children and community workers. The kids have started attending sunday school, camps and holiday clubs organised in conjunction with the church. He has helped the children by establishing a source of clean running water and a flush toilet. Pastor Joel has initiated the Eden Kid's Garden project and a secured play area with swings and jungle gym. The children walk 3km every day from school to meet in the dilapidated Tatham Cricket Pavillion for homework, lifeskills, sport, crafts and spiritual input. Pastor Joel has brought another dimension to the program by networking with individuals, companies and organisations to secure aid and support. Plans are afoot by local authorities to reassign the building in favour of a housing program which would leave the children with limited options. Eden Kids Foundation Trust is a registered N.G.O (No 134-604NGO).
Our Vision
The Eden Kid's foundation is a trust established to create a fun-filled, safe and exciting environment for the kids of the Masukwana Informal settlement to grow and develop in order to have hope for their futures.
Our Mission and Strategy
We do this by organising holiday clubs, general and leadership camps, spiritual input, food-garden projects and mentorship. Our strategy is to create awareness of the plight of inner-city children living in the informal settlement and to co-ordinate involvement of individuals, companies, churches and the government in an effort to establish a permenant Drop-in center in the area that will complement existing structures.