User:CotlandsSA/sandbox

Background Cotlands was born in 1936 when Matron Dorothy Reece, a nurse from the United States, doing missionary work in South Africa, found an abandoned baby on her doorstep. Over the years the organisation underwent many changes, but always retained caring for young children as its primary goal.

From historical roots as a baby sanctuary, Cotlands initiated its community based programmes in 1999, primarily focusing on HIV and nutrition, and later adding psychosocial and educational support to the pro­grammes.

Today, Cotlands operates in five provinces across South Africa. Cotlands works to develop community-driven interventions by establishing toy libraries that support the implementation of early learning groups, which also offer health and psychosocial support.

As an organisation, Cotlands recognizes that by working with our communities as well as the private and government sectors, we can address key early learning and development gaps that give children the opportunity to not only survive, but thrive, into adulthood.

Achievements In 1996, after receiving an endorsement from then president Nelson Mandela, Cotlands opened South Africa's first pediatric AIDS hospice. In 2012 Cotlands closed its pediatric AIDS hospice due to the reduced number of children dying form HIV/AIDS related illnesses in the unit. This landmark decision was lauded by the South African Minister of Health as it showed the success of government's mother to child prevention program. Cotlands received positive media attention both nationally and internationally for the closing down of its hospice.

Set Backs Due to a lack of funding Cotlands has closed it's North West project and retrench over 40 staff. The organisation rely's on corporate and individual funding.