About Us

Thanda, which means "love" in Zulu, is a non-profit organization under Orphans Against AIDS dedicated to providing support for orphans of AIDS and other vulnerable children in the region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Thanda began in 2003 (known until 2007 as part of Thembanathi) by collaborating with Bishop Mansuett Biyase Preschool in Gingindlovu, KwaZulu-Natal to address the complex needs of their orphans of AIDS. Thanda has been actively fundraising for this small, rural organization since then to assist them in their mission of feeding and educating orphans. Thanda has funded school fees, teacher's salaries, food parcels, transportation, and feeding centers. In June-July of 2005, Thanda members ran a holiday camp for children preschool- Grade 3 at Holy Cross so they could continue to receive food and supervision during the school holidays.

Thanda's largest and newest project is Thanda After-School- a program that empowers students to break their cycle of poverty and HIV/AIDS. Thanda After-School encourages students to think creatively about their futures and gives them the skills necessary to be successful. For more information, please go to the Thanda After-School Project site.

Thanda has also recently launched a jewelry company, Thanda Zulu. Handmade by women in an income generation project in South Africa, the beaded jewelry has become an effective method of fundraising for Thanda's various programs. Thanda Zulu has been able to propel Thanda towards its goal of supporting and empowering orphans of AIDS, while also supporting otherwise unemployed women and their families in South Africa