Our Ark is situated in the Mnqobokazi area of KwaZulu-Natal, behind KwaGiba High School, the only high school in the area. The Ark is run from Nkomo Full Service School – about 45 km from Hluhluwe Township. It is located opposite the Phinda Game Reserve, where some of the community members are employed.

High rates of unemployment and illiteracy are prevalent, and most members of the community depend on subsistence farming for survival. The majority of adults are pensioners, who care for the orphaned and vulnerable children.

Our Ark works closely with three primary schools and one school, as well as with the local clinic, which is 1 km away. We also network with other schools in England, the USA, Sweden and Belgium.

Our Ark was started in 2002 when it was discovered that most of the children in school were vulnerable. For example they were unable to pay attention in class because of hunger, they were often drowsy in class, and they didn’t have proper clothes or school uniforms. The principal, Mrs Zikhali, decided to celebrate her birthday at school, and asked teachers and the governing body to bring something to school for the learners. She also visited nearby lodges and supermarkets, and asked for presents for the party. The party became the launch of the Nkomo Primary School orphans and vulnerable children project, and a cow provided by Mrs Zikhali was slaughtered in celebration.

After watching one of the learners’ mothers die of AIDS, Mrs Zikhali committed herself to helping orphans and vulnerable children in the school. She involved various charity organisations in the project, and in 2007 one such a charity, Africa Foundation, suggested the project become one of Noah’s Arks.

Our People

Mr S.W. Mthethwa (Ark Manager)

(tel: 078 734 5598)

Our Ark offers:

• Extramural activities like drama, sports (netball and soccer), music and Zulu dance
• After-school care in the form of homework supervision
• General and bereavement counselling
• A vegetable garden to feed the children
• Assistance with grant applications
• Home visits

• Children: Computers, photocopying machine, irrigation system, filing cabinet, first aid kit, school bags, school shoes, school uniforms, fire extinguisher, bursaries, trainers (takkies), school stationery.
• Resource centre: craft materials, educational toys
• Volunteers: stipends, income generating projects (unemployment is a huge problem in the community, and we have lost 5 volunteers this year because they need to earn a living)

Or contact Noah if you have services or skills you would like to bring to Nkomo Ark.

Our address

Nkomo Primary School
Mnqobokazi Area
Hluhlume Township
3960