The Winnie Mabaso Foundation

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I first met Winnie Mabaso in 2004 when I was part of a team making a programme for BBC Television.

Winnie Mabaso lives in Finetown (an informal settlement just outside of Johannesburg).  Winnies township like many in South Africa has been severely affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. 

Every week Winnie would cook for the children in her township - the memory of those little kids lining up at Winnies house with their little plastic bowls for the only meal they would receive that day is something I will never forget.

Many of these children had lost their parents and were orphans.  
 
When I returned to the UK Winnie and I stayed in touch and I began fundraising for her. 

Winnie wrote to me to inform me of a dreadful myth that had begun circulating around the village.  Men were saying that if they were infected with HIV/AIDS sleeping with a virgin would heal them.

The only way of them ensuring that someone was a virgin was if they were a child, so many of the orphans were being raped.  Winnie was desperate to find safe and secure housing for the children. 

Through fundraising we were able to assist Winnie in getting a house in Finetown which has now become an orphanage for local children.  Since Winnies death this is now managed by her sister, Linda.
 
The Winnie Mabaso Foundation has been established to continue caring for the orphans of Finetown.  Winnie achieved her dream of offering protection to these children - its now our turn to continue what she began.

As this site only offers a UK Sterling selection for giving, overseas donors can use an online currency conversion site like www.xe.com/ucc/ to check current exchange rates.  Thank you for your support.

For further information please visit our website at www.winniemabaso.org