Community Development

This department was set up in July 2011, although parts of its work existed within the old structure of the organisation.
The focus of this department is "Sustainable Development". That means making positive changes in the community which will last even after the projects have finished. This is best done by transferring skills and, if needed, infrastructure to help the community help themselves.
Within the community, we have identified the following structures as ones we can work with well:

• Schools
• Churches
• Families

We are working with the schools & community volunteers to give extra support to vulnerable children. We plan to train the community volunteers to run after school clubs for the children where they can play games, learn life skills, grow vegetables and get help with homework.

Our food gardens programme works with schools, families & support groups for HIV positive people. It trains people in how to grow vegetables for themselves or to sell and provides equipment such as rainwater tanks, garden tools and fences. Two groups have been so successful that they are selling produce to local supermarkets.

Our marriage counselors work with families to strengthen marriages and ensure husbands and wives stay together in a happy and equal relationship.

Our church leader trainer is working with small community churches giving the pastors training so that they are better able to lead their churches. Churches have a potentially huge role in caring for the sick, widows and orphans as well as preventing HIV spread through encouraging abstinence and faithfulness.

Our future plans include expanding this department with micro-finance projects and income generating projects. This will depend on funding availability.