This week through #HospiceVisits we highlight Lambano Sanctuary. Lambano is an organisation that receive children with a range of life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, to give hope and to transform lives through love and care.
Lambano Sanctuary was established in 2001 in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic that was hitting South Africa. Since 2001, they have grown into having four homes that permanently care for 28 HIV positive children between the ages of 9 – 19.
In 2009, they opened their first dedicated Paediatric Medical Stepdown Facility/Hospice in Gauteng which initially only took on HIV+ children. This changed soon, as they had gained valuable experience in caring for ill children, they then expanded their service to care for children with all life limiting and life threatening illnesses.
These children come into the hospice with no real hope for survival yet 85% of the tiny dependants beat the odds! With unwavering dedication and unconditional love, they micro-manage each child, going to extreme lengths to secure the best possible medical treatment for the children.
At Lambano they don’t only care for the child, they also take care of all the social needs of their families as well. They have built strong relationships with the public medical services and a pool of private doctors and hospitals that provide services at a significantly reduced rate, if not free.
Currently, they have a 16-bed facility that is being run by 22 very committed and dedicated nurses, medically trained staff members, from a doctor down to caregivers. They also have a home based care section that looks after patients after they discharge.
They are fully accredited by HPCA (The Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa) which means they are strictly monitored and evaluated in every aspect, from financial management and governance to broader quality assurance.
How you can get involved with Lambano Sanctuary
We encourage, you, our readers to share Lambanos story and support them. Its costs them approximately +- 8000 per month to care for each child, allowing us to provide education, food, clothing, housing and specialised care.
If you would like to find out more and get involved click here.