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Exchange visit to Umthathi in Grahamstown |

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.
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Mamelani trains facilitators in the Eastern Cape |
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.
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Nonoza Education Fund launches at two Cape Town schools |
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.
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Sipho is set to work as a Tjommie |

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. |
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