Who are we?
Our Mission
We bring compassion, dignity, relevant care and relief from discomfort and pain to children diagnosed with a life threatening or life limiting illness within KZN. We do this through direct patient care, mentorship, empowerment of caregivers, training and advocacy.We are people who want the good deeds to happen everywhere and all the time
Our Vision
To promote and provide compassionate care to children with life threatening and life limiting illnesses.
Care and Comfort
Umduduzi treats children as people, not just as patients, and seeks to ensure that children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions receive the best possible care and comfort.

Those who are happiest are those who do the most for the others.
— Booker T. Washington

History
Umduduzi was founded in December 2012 by Dr Julia Ambler & Ms Tracey Brand. Both had been providing children’s palliative care services to the State sector within KwaZulu-Natal between 2008 and 2012 through their work with The Bigshoes Foundation’s Durban office. Unfortunately The Bigshoes Foundation was dissolved nationally and Julia & Tracey felt it was imperative to continue the work that had been started.
Together with a team of committed Board Members Umduduzi was founded. The work that began will continue and children living with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses will have the opportunity to be cared for by a dedicated team of specialists.
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Our Staff


She also saw the need for knowledge and training in this field and undertook and successfully completed the Level 1, 2 and 3 Early Childhood Development Training provided through Embury College. She met a wonderful Preschool Teacher with many years’ experience who has mentored and encouraged her.
She runs the Play and Stimulation Programme , Ekhaya Lihle,implemented by Umduduzi at the King Dinuzulu Hospital with dedication and commitment.

From 2008 to 2012, as project manager, she opened the Durban Branch of the Bigshoes Foundation and has cultivated an interest in paediatric palliative care. She has been involved in teaching and training doctors, nurses and social workers in paediatric palliative care and designed course work material for the purpose as well as provides direct services to children and their families.
In January 2013 she co-founded Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children, an NPO set up to continue the work of Bigshoes in KZN.

Julia is a sessional lecturer for the Department of Paediatrics UKZN and lectures on palliative care for 4th, 5th and 6th year students. She has been involved in teaching and training doctors, nurses and social workers in paediatric palliative care and designed course work material for the purpose as well as provides direct services to children and their families.
In January 2013 she co-founded Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children, an NPO set up to continue the work of Bigshoes in KZN.


Phili has also been exposed to the hospitality field as she worked at a Bed &Breakfast Lodge in Durban recently. She has two grown up daughters. Her all round experience makes her an excellent communicator which is essential for her role in this palliative care team.