Archive of previously funded projects dating back to 2007

1. Gauteng Peace and Development Foundation
   Empowerment, training and income generation
2. Ingelozi Eyetu
   Craftwork project
3. Sakhumzi
   Orphanage
4. Sinethemba shelter
   shelter for abused women and children

1. Gauteng Peace and Development Foundation
   
   Perspective - Helping communities to help themselves
   
   GPDF started in 1994 as people in Gauteng decided to carry on the work of the official peace structures when government funding stopped. They realised the importance of reconciling former enemies and getting them to work together towards reconstruction - peace and development go hand in hand. Because communities were anxious to get started on projects that would improve their situation the Basic Orientation Course (BOC) in Community Development and Project Management came into being. Courses are run when funds are available. The aims include developing social and practical skills to equip participants to manage projects.
   
   GPDF trainers have begun to deliver the Micro MBA
   
   The Micro-MBA Business Training Course enables people to create their own jobs, usually in a small or micro-business to start with. With some 9 million not employed in the formal sector, and half a million first-time job seekers unable to find employment each year the only solution for most is to start up alone. The Micro-MBA programme gives provides 5 days training. The participant has to contribute R50 (£4) and, R500 (£40) comes from the Micro-MBA Bursary Fund. Prospective trainees are screened to assess the viability of their existing or planned business.
   
   
   Examples of GPDF projects
   
   These projects equip individuals with skills for life and benefited their communities.
   • Road maintenance and community hall projects.
     
   • Brick making has been important in the squatter camp outside Sebokeng
     
   • Adult Literacy projects have taught participants how to read and write, learn English as a language, how to fill in forms and to write funding proposals.
     
   • Planting grass on a mine dump stopped the sandstorms.
     
   • Bakers in the East Rand, selling cakes at a taxi rank, saw enormous business growth after participating in a course. Now they rent premises, operate for 16 hours a day and create jobs for others.
     
   • Orange Farm, a huge informal settlement area south of Johannesburg, absorbs people moving to the Gauteng heartland. Temporary shacks appear in an unplanned residential sprawl. On a 2-day BOC for 439 participants in the Orange Farm area, and 45 from the Drieziek Ext 3 community, training was given on how to negotiate with government officials regarding the future of their settlement. Once government agrees a process of formalization of land-use starts. The area is surveyed and stands are allocated for private residential and community use. The Drieziek local committee, successfully negotiated many aspects of the process including surveying the land and the allocation of sites to the approximately 3400 squatters, and helped residents fill out application forms for government housing subsidies.
     
     
2. Ingelozi Eyetu (‘Our own angels’)
   
   Perspective
   
   The ugly giant of HIV/AIDS puts its footprints anywhere and everywhere. In rural areas where employment is scarce or non existent, families and whole communities are devastated. On the positive side, there are many at grassroots level doing something to enable communities not only to survive but to regain self respect and hope as they learn new creative skills that enable them to gain some income. Ingelozi Eyetu is an inspiring example.
   
   In an impoverished area of the Free State, employment is provided by the owners of Oban Guest Farm through training local people in beadwork and other crafts. Last year, in spite of an uphill struggle, much was achieved. By working together with the ‘Beads of Hope’ group more ladies were employed. Craft work now includes making handbags. Working conditions have been improved by installing adequate lighting in the work hall and by acquiring sewing machines on loan (more still needed).
   
   Happily at the local Christmas drive 1500 angels (Beads of Hope) were sold. A market selling African artefacts is being explored as a possible outlet and other opportunities are on the horizon. In March 2008 crafts will be taken to the airports with the view to extending sales outlets.
   
   Two ladies will be employed full time (mornings only), to enable them to be with their families after school. Plans are afoot to make tribal dolls in traditional dress. If this becomes viable Oban estimates they will be able to employ about 30 ladies by year end.
   
   Kim Struben writes: “All of us at Oban want Thembisa to know just how timely and significant your support has been. Every time we need to purchase bead stock and now fabrics for the dolls, Thembisa’s next donation arrives! A big thank you! We are also grateful for local Van Reenen supporters. I believe we are making a worthwhile change in the lives of many local families. Amongst those who are producing creative, unique and attractive pieces there has been a growth in self esteem and confidence.
   
   “Sadly HIV/AIDS has claimed the lives of some of the workers. Some young families are left to fend for themselves. For example one of the craftwork ladies supports nine family members, all of whom are incapable of earning.
   
   “We have some amazingly talented and effective workers. Nothing gives us more joy than to lose a worker to a full time job elsewhere, who thus becomes more able to support her family. She can still make a bit extra on the side by beading!”
   

3. Sakhumzi
   
   Perspective
   
   HIV/AIDS poses the single greatest threat to Africa's efforts to achieve its full potential. South Africa is amongst the countries hardest hit. The number of Aids orphans spirals.
   
   AIDS kills those on whom society relies to grow the crops, work in the mines and factories, run the schools and hospitals and govern countries... It creates new pockets of poverty when parents and breadwinners die and children leave school earlier to support the remaining children.
   
   Nelson Mandela
   
   Sakhumzi
   
   Sakhumzi was started by an energetic and impressive lady named Amelia, who - without any formal funding support - took into her own home orphans who had nowhere else to go. The premises have expanded and she now also looks after children who would otherwise have no care during the day.
   
   Mike Low, (former chairman) visited Sakhumzi at the end of 2001. At that time 150 children were being cared for at her home, 75 were day-care children.
   
   Amelia puts all her energy and love into her project. She wishes to give as many children as possible a life in dignity and a hope for the future. Every day new children join, yet she is incapable of rejecting any one of them. "What shall I do? If I do not give them a home, these children will be lost for all times." Amelia is constantly dreaming up ways in which these children can be better cared for. Funds are needed to fulfil these hopes and plans, and for the day-to-day running of the home. Thembisa can continue to make a significant contribution.
   
   A German group has set up a website. At the time of writing it is not up to date but provides more information. www.amelia.de/english/index.html

4. Sinethemba shelter
   
   Perspective
   
   

   In areas of poverty, high unemployment, and crowded conditions, some people vent their anger through violence towards those around them – and the victims are usually women and children. There are very few places offering accommodation and support to the victims.
   
   Sinethemba shelter
   
   Sinethemba, near Port Shepstone on the South Coast of Natal, is a shelter for women and children who have been abused. It was established by the Ifafa Women’s group in 2005 to deal with the increasing numbers of rape and abuse victims in the area. Women who have nowhere else to turn come from as far afield as Gauteng to the three-bedroomed house, where they and their children can stay temporarily until alternative plans are made.
   
   Sadly, there are many victims, some because of alcohol-fuelled violence; others have included an 84-year-old lady beaten by her grandson for her pension, and a 64-year-old stroke victim raped by her neighbour. At Sinethemba the women are helped in whatever way possible, for example in getting court interdicts, or tracing relatives able to care for them. The shelter has an ethos of empowerment, and some women have been trained in office skills or sewing. One lady, who came to the shelter after fleeing from a man who knocked her teeth out, broke her nose and jaw, and kicked her so hard in the back that she had to have a kidney removed, said: ‘I was a broken person when I came to the shelter, but I have regained my confidence and worked my way to a better life.’Sinethemba would like to expand and offer the services of a social worker and legal adviser, but funding is a constant battle – just managing to obtain basic supplies such as food and nappies can be very difficult. They have realised there is also need to open a safe house for children, as o many abused and abandoned children are being brought to them.