Three-year-old Themba has lived at Duduza Home since he was a baby. He was abandoned at a local hospital where he'd been taken with serious burns to his little body. Thankfully, he recovered fully, and was placed in Duduza. Today Themba is a healthy happy toddler. He's an unusually sensitive and affectionate little boy, who loves hugs and cuddles.

Over the last 18 months a female staff member from a related project has built up a very close relationship with Themba. She has expressed an interest in applying to adopt him, and has often taken him home for weekends. On one of these visits Themba met one of her flatmates and developed a bond with him. Unexpectedly, over the past year this man and the children's worker fell in love and were married. Both of them love Themba very much and are beginning the adoption application process.

We at Duduza are so excited for Themba. Although we love him and will miss him very much, it is our goal that all our children— especially those who are HIV-positive—will find permanent families where they will feel secure and loved. There are no guarantees that the adoption application will be approved, or that it will be handled quickly. So we are praying hard that this process will be both smooth and speedy.

More information about the Duduza Home