Sandra Lee Center:

Homes for Abandoned and Orphaned Kids

In March 2003, because of gracious and generous help from some dear friends in Anchorage, Alaska,  we purchased two identical three-bedroom, two bathroom houses standing side-by-side on over 1.5 acres of land and in 2005 we were able to purchase another 2.5 acres of land adjoining this property that will be used to build more homes.  It was at this site that The Sandra Lee Center was established in Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, for the purpose of taking in and raising abandoned babies.  We began operating in December 2003 when our first baby arrived; his mother died when he was born and nobody knows who or where his father is. Since then, 15 children now call the Sandra Lee Center home.

Our oldest child, Cinderella, is a 12 year old girl whose mother and father died of AIDS.  She has been with us since March of 2003 and takes on the role of big sister to the babies.

In the first house, 'Mom' is a Swazi lady called Thoko (pronounced Togo).  She joined us in July 2003 when her training as a housemother began.  She takes wonderful care of our babies and is a sensitive and caring 'mom' to Cinderella.  Thoko has a full-time assistant (aunty) who helps her during the day, cleaning and chasing after 7 very active toddlers and preschoolers.  She also serves as Thoko's replacement on her off days.

In the second house, due to the younger ages of the children, we have two full-time housemothers, Lillian and Ncane.  In early 2007 when our 3rd house is completed, one of these mothers will move to the 3rd house and we will hire an assistant for each home to help the mothers.

The Center has had a number of visiting volunteers since we opened.  In our first year we had some lovely gap students  from the UK, and in the last 2 years we have been blessed with a number of volunteers from Finland, who come for 1 to 3 months as part of their schooling.  They are social work and nursing students who choose to have an overseas component in their studies.  The students have added much to the lives of our children, giving them love, added attention and a multi-cultural growing experience.  We are very thankful for our volunteers.

Food, clothing, medical needs, the housemother and assistants salaries, household expenses, and school fees for the older children are sustained through donations.  We would  like to become more self-sufficient by raising hens for eggs, goats for milk, and adding irrigation for our vegetable garden. 

As the number of abandoned and orphaned children increases so does the need to bring them into Sandra Lee to be raised in a loving, stable environment.  We need to build  3 more homes. Each new home costs approximately $70,000.

To donate or to become a sponsor, please click on the 'Donate Now' button.