Mamelani values shared learning spaces. In our workshops, facilitators are not seen as experts, but rather as equals in the learning process. Although they are the bearers of specialised knowledge, they do not enter the workshops with the attitude that they are there to teach. They believe that have as much to learn from the groups they teach, as do the groups have to learn from them. In this light Mamelani was grateful to the Umthathi team who offered them the space to do some “organisational learning”.

Umthathi was founded in 1993 and is an education and training organisation whose mission is to improve household health through increasing access to food, making effective and sustainable use of available resources and developing the skills necessary for improved livelihoods and self sufficiency in rural and peri-urban areas in the Eastern Cape. There is much similarity between some of Mamelani and Umthathi’s programmes, in particular between Mamelani’s Wellness Programme and Umthathi’s Home and health care as well as their Cooking and Nutrition course.

A full day session was facilitated focussed on sharing experiences, resources and lessons learnt over the years. The day was concluded by sharing ideas regarding improvements that could be made to our programme. Our thanks go out to Philip and the Umthathi team for their time and valuable input. 

 For more information on Umthathi’s programmes please visit www.umthathi.co.za.

Mamelani has completed its final phase of training for facilitators from the Eastern Cape. Mamelani has partenered with NompeSigaji Community Developers, a group already working in Ngqeleni, in the Nyandeni District. Mamelani piloted its wellness programme in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape in July of 2006. The workshops were well received and proved to be extremely useful to community members, many of whom lived extremely far from the local clinic or hospital, leaving them unable to access any health care or information. 

Mamelani has now trained twenty four community members through an extensive series of workshops. Sixteen of these participants have been selected as ‘wellness facilitators’. Their role will be to run workshops and spread the wellness information in their communities.

Mamelani is grateful to our core sponsor for this programme, the Old Mutual Foundation for enabling Mamelani to play the role it is playing in Ngqeleni.

 “This programme has had a powerful impact on the community,” says Boniswa Magula, assistant director, HIV management for the Nyandeni district Department of Health. “It is the most effective wellness project we have seen in that it genuinely addresses the needs of a rural community, creating sustainable ways to change the lives of individuals,” adds Magula.

With the support of the Mastercard Foundation Mamelani is now able to extend the Nonoza Education Fund to two primary schools. The Fund supports vulnerable school-going children in being able to make the best of their education. Children who are identified to be struggling due to lack of family support and lack of financial security will be supported through the programme. Material support such as funds for school uniforms, books and food parcels will be allocated, along with support for the parents of these children. Parents will enter Mamelani’s consultation service and will be linked with specialised services from within our network to address the needs they are facing such as emotional counselling, skills training or job placement.

Mamelani has partnered with Earthchild Project, a non profit organisation working in these schools with the aim of creating a new generation of confident, conscious and responsible young learners. The partnership will allow for those learners who are falling through the gaps of the school system to access specialised services and care.

For more information on Earthchild Project’s programmes please visit www.earthchildproject.org.

Sipho Ndzukuma, one of Project Lungisela’s graduates, has been selected as a “Tjommie” as part of an initiative run by Men on the Side of the Road. “Tjommies” have received training as security guards and as tourist guides, and are placed around the city centre to assist tourists in getting to their desired destinations.

Sipho is someone who loves people and he is enjoying his work. He is also proud that his life story was featured in four community newspapers last month.

For more information on Men on the side of the Road please visit www.employmen.co.za.