Umduduzi promotes and provides compassionate care to children with life threatening and life limiting illnesses. Their work involves bringing compassion, dignity, relevant care and relief from discomfort and pain to children diagnosed with a life threatening or life limiting illness within Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. This is done through direct patient care, mentorship, empowerment of caregivers, training and advocacy.

Umduduzi’s services include Palliative Care, a Step-down Unit and Play Programme based at Clairwood Hospital and Basic Child Health Care Training offered to all people caring for children either in crèches, children’s homes or community based organisations.

Umduduzi was founded in December 2012 by Dr Julia Ambler and  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 and Tracey felt it was imperative to continue the work that had been started.