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Rosca House provides love and a home environment for abandoned, orphaned children

Nthabisang Moreosele

Nthabisang Moreosele

Children mobbed Mama Angel when she brought groceries to Rosca House, in Florida, on the West Rand, on Monday.

The 68 children sang and danced Sarafina-style.

Siyabonga Mhlongo founded the home in 1992 for abandoned and orphaned children. It is also used as a place of safety for abused children.

The home also takes care of youngsters from single-parent families and those whose parents cannot support them.

Tirivanhu Oscar Gunguwo, Rosca's board chairman, said Rosca gives the children a home environment, teaches them moral values and gives them love.

"We create a homely environment with surrogate mothers and fathers who each have a number of children to care for," Gunguwo said.

"The 'parents' are all volunteers who identify with their children and look after their needs."

The Department of Social Services is responsible for training the staff and volunteers.

A surprise addition to the staff was Ntombekhaya Mgodleni, from the Western Cape.

Mgodleni, a science teacher, was a finalist in the Community Builder of the Year competition, in the youth category, in 2005.

"I am employed at a nearby school and I offer after-school care at Rosca," Mgodleni said.

"I assist with homework and extra-mural activities.

"I met Siyabonga when we were finalists and I came to Johannesburg to see how Siyabonga ran Rosca."

Gunguwo said their first crop of grown-up children was being trained to be independent and was learning to live outside the home.

The home desperately needs:

lStationery and sponsorship for school fees;

lClothes, crockery, cutlery, bedding, pillows and curtains;

lExtra showers, baths and a geyser.

l If you want to see a film clip about Rosca House, go to www.sowetan.co.za

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