Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it called "Rehoboth"?

Rehoboth comes from the bible verse in Genesis 26:22. The story is about Isaac's sheperds, who at a certain point in time received space to have their own well to give water to their sheep and to flourish in the land. The symbolic behind the name Rehoboth is that, God is providing the room (space) to take care of the orphaned childern who have no families that can look after them. Rehoboth is privileged in helping these children to flourish.

2. How can I help?

You can help in several ways.

1. First of all you can come and help us as a volunteer with practical skills to assist in the development of the grounds and buildings.

2. Another possibility is that you support us financially, that can be one donation or donations on a regular basis. With these donations we can buy: nutrition for the children, pay the salaries of the local staff, maintain and develop the property of Rehoboth in order to take care of more children. The international management & other volunteers are expected to have their own finances to support themselves.

3. Also by promotional activities you are helping Rehoboth being known to your community.

You can send us an email to the following e-mail address if you would like to help us: info@rehoboth.org.za

3. Why not care in the extended family of the children?

Rehoboth is looking at a special target group, namely children that have no families or extended family anymore and therefore the hospital has become their home until they die. Rehoboth is stepping into this gap for this special target group - orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS.

4. In what way is Rehoboth taking care of these children?

Rehoboth is taking care of the children in the following areas: spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual and medical. Rehoboth is in this way unique, by giving a quality life to a group of special needy children on the highest level possible.

5. Are the local people seeing Rehoboth also as a need and do they support it?

People working in HIV care in the area and community have identified this need and see such a care programme as a viable programme and are strongly supporting it. (see letters of endorsements on the Introduction link)

6. Do you prefer that the children are taken care of in the extended family if possible?

The number of children that Rehoboth is targeting is a specific group as there is a functional HIV care programme operating at community level that will ensure that as far as possible all children are cared for within the extended family and the community setting, which is a preferred option if at all possible. However the children Rehoboth are looking after, have either no extended family or the special treatment is too difficult and therefore it is not possible for this specific group of children to be placed in the community.

7. Is Rehoboth also into setting up a HIV care delivery system?

Other areas of HIV care such as, home-base-care or hospice care are already offered by other NGO's (Non Governmental Organisations) or government departments leading to a strong community based HIV care delivery system. Rehoboth focuses therefore on caring for orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS in tight relation with the local hospitals. However Rehoboth might set-up a high care dependency unit for terminal ill children in the near future.

8. How does Rehoboth fit in with other organisations?

Rehoboth is closely linked to a local government hospital that still has a very good "mission-minded" administration leading to good medical services that will be able to support the team in offering the necessary medical care to these infected children. Without such support this care system would not be possible. A close network has been established with all other HIV related stakeholders within the area and region and have established very good links with other players that will ensure that they can get appropriate assistance where needed and that cases can be referred to other levels of care if the need arises.

9. What about stigma towards AIDS?

As caring for children with HIV/AIDS, is usually accompanied by fear and stigma, it gives Rehoboth a unique opportunity to share the love of Christ with those who are deprived and neglected.