Our Mission and Goals

Edzimkulu is a Canadian charity dedicated to providing support to children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Ndawana, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It was established in May 2003.
 
The name Edzimkulu is a combination of Edmonton - the home city of the organization’s founders Chris and Jim Newton - and Umzimkhulu, a major South African River. Edzimkulu realizes its goals by connecting the people of the Greater Edmonton community with individuals in the village of Ndawana.

Edzimkulu’s major accomplishments include:

1. Construction of a four-building community centre

Some 400 Ndawana residents were employed in all elements of the construction.  Health and education programs are operated from the centre which now serves as a gathering place for the people of Ndawana.

2. Establishment of basic health care in Ndawana

Prior to Edzimkulu, people in Ndawana had virtually no access to health care in the village. Today they have access to:

 

• Voluntary counseling, testing, and treatment for HIV/AIDS
• Monthly visits by a doctor
• An Edzimkulu nurse who works at the clinic in the community centre.
• Home based care
• Palliative care and short term respite for caregivers

3. Orphan support, including:

• Establishment of a program to feed orphans and their caregivers
• Construction of an orphan house
• Advocacy to obtain grants

4. Education and literacy, including:

• Adult/family literacy tutoring and financial support for children in the school system
• Support and training for teachers in the school system