In March 2003, with the gracious and generous help from dear friends in Anchorage, Alaska, we purchased two identical three-bedroom, two bathroom houses on over 1.5 acres of land. In 2005 we were able to purchase another 2.5 acres of land adjoining this property that have been 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 his father is unknown. Since then, 23 children now call the Sandra Lee Center home. Our oldest child, Cinderella, is a 16 year-old girl whose parents died of AIDS. She has been with us since March of 2003 and takes on the role of big sister to the babies.
We began operating in December 2003 when our first baby arrived; his mother died when he was born and his father is unknown. Since then, 23 children now call the Sandra Lee Center home. Our oldest child, Cinderella, is a 16 year-old girl whose parents died of AIDS. She has been with us since March of 2003 and takes on the role of big sister to the babies.
Our first 'mom' is a Swazi lady called Thoko (pronounced Togo). She joined us in July 2003 when her training as a housemother began. Thoko has a full-time assistant or 'auntie' who helps her during the day and looks after the children when she is on leave.
We now have 3 more house moms and 2 aunties living in the other brightly colored houses. The pink house has been designated as our pre-school.
The Center has had a number of visiting volunteers since we opened. Most are students specialising in social work and nursing who choose to have an overseas component in their studies. The volunteers have added much to the lives of our children, giving them love, added attention and a multi-cultural growing experience. We are very thankful!
Food, clothing, medical needs, salaries for the housemothers and assistants, 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 become a sponsor, please click on the 'Sandra Lee Kids' button.
Sandra Lee Center: Homes for orphaned and abandoned children
