A new era will soon begin for Lebone Village in Bloemfontien when the small holding of 17 ha and all its assets will be sold on auction on 18 October.
Willem Snyman, that manages Lebone Village along with his wife, Avril, since its starting days, said because of financial challenges, the whole model of Lebone will have to change.
Because of lack of child support that the Department of Social Development does not pay for children in the care of Lebone Village, 32 children was placed out in private houses since May. These houses now functions as small child care centres and the children is cared for by former staff members of Lebone.
Luli Polisa, the general manager of Lebone, will take care of the remaining six children in a house in Bergman Square. Her house will be known as Lulu Light – referring to the present name – Lebone meaning light in Sotho.
Lebone was started in the year 2000 by reverent Tim Rust and his wife, Jane, as Lebone House in the old Ramkraal building. The idea around that time was to look after children who’s parents died due to HIV/Aids.
The house was moved to the present premises that is owned by the Aids Mission Outreach Trust and the name was changed to Lebone Land with Avril in charge of the running of the centre.
As time went by, many additions to the property came to life. That included an orchard, tunnels for growing vegetables and a daycare centre.
Snyman says there are many reasons for the closing down of Lebone Village as it was known over the years.
“Since we moved here in 2002, we lost equipment and material of around R1 million because of theft,” Snyman said. “Even the good quality fence around the property, do not keep thieves out.”
Snyman says this, along with the lack of support from the department and him and Avril getting older, prompted them to decide on a way forward.
“We plan to continue helping people by using the money from the sale of the property in a trustfund to help smaller non-provit organisations,” he explained.
He said they will continue with the KFC Add Hope project where they provide food parcels to 500 beneficiaries in the community.
“We still want to make a difference in the community, but we need to do it in another way.”
