NOAH Foundation with Skin Renewal Aesthetic Clinics

Noah: Bringing Hope to South Africa’s Orphans

South Africa is home to an estimated 3.7 million orphans, nearly half of whom have lost one or both parents. Around 150 000 children live in child-headed households, with the AIDS pandemic accounting for almost half of these cases.

In response to this crisis, Noah was founded in 2000 to take responsibility for vulnerable children and give them the chance to grow into emotionally, psychologically, and physically healthy adults.

A Structured Approach to Care

Noah is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) but operates with a corporate-style structure to ensure strong governance, sound financial management, and sustainable operations. Its board of directors comprises respected business leaders with decades of experience.

Each Ark — Noah’s community-based resource centre — is supported by a dedicated Ark Development Officer (ADO) from the head office. These ADOs, alongside central mentoring, help Arks develop sustainable practices and build networks within their wider communities. While some Arks exist as physical structures, many operate from schools or community facilities, giving children an identifiable and safe base close to home.

The Phomelelo Ark: A Story of Renewal

In December 2010, the Phomelelo Ark Day Care Centre in Muldersdrift underwent a remarkable transformation, bringing comfort and hope to staff and the orphans in their care.

Skin Renewal “adopted” the Ark, providing major structural improvements that brought the nursery school closer to meeting registration requirements with the Department of Social Development for additional funding.

Led by Esther Lebogang Marobe, who established Phomelelo in 2000, the centre had originally operated out of basic shipping containers, sheltering 78 pre-school children. Thanks to the upgrades:

Roofs were fitted with ceilings to reduce the intense heat.
Additional windows were added for better ventilation.
A fully equipped sick bay was created.
The kitchen was renovated to improve food preparation.
Fixed toilets replaced inadequate portable ones.

Beyond infrastructure, the Gauteng Skin Renewal team also rolled up their sleeves to clean the school, host a joyful Christmas party, and provide gifts for every child.

Challenges Facing the Community

The Phomelelo Ark is based at Lesego Primary School in Muldersdrift, in the Mogale City region near the Cradle of Humankind. The area is largely rural, with many families made up of farm workers who lost their jobs when farms were sold or converted into guest lodges. Unemployment, poverty, and inadequate housing are widespread challenges, compounded by high rates of HIV infection and tuberculosis.

With limited public transport, both staff and children often walk long distances to reach the Ark. Funded transport would help ensure children can consistently access the Ark, where they receive a nutritious meal five days a week. To further support the community, Momentum has provided volunteers with bicycles for conducting home visits.

Partnership and Progress

Initially, a small daycare where local women cared for children in exchange for small fees or donations, Phomelelo partnered with Noah in 2003. Since then, the Ark has built strong relationships with other NGOs, the Department of Home Affairs, and the South African Police Services, creating a vital support network for vulnerable families.

SKIN RENEWAL AESTHETIC CLINICS

Nurturing Orphans of Aids for Humanity (NOAH)

Meet Our People

Noah: Bringing Hope to South Africa’s Orphans

A Structured Approach to Care

The Phomelelo Ark: A Story of Renewal

Challenges Facing the Community

Partnership and Progress

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