AN organisation which was started in the early 1980s to assist people living with HIV/Aids has grown into a beacon of hope for many, equipping thousands of people with skills that have created employment and income-generating opportunities.

Phakamisa, a ministry of the Pinetown Methodist Church, was founded by Glenda Hawkins.

Initially, the programme focused on supporting elderly women, but Hawkins soon realised that many of the grandmothers were caring for their grandchildren and that there was a significant need for educational support.

“Seeing this, Glenda decided to bring in education and started ECDs because the people we serve live in poor and underprivileged circumstances,” said Phakamisa director Zethu Khuzwayo.

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According to Khuzwayo, the centres initially operated under trees and became known as “wandering schools” a name that is still used today.

As the programme expanded, Phakamisa looked for additional ways to empower communities and introduced gardening projects that taught grandmothers how to grow their own food.

“Gardening is vital. It provides fresh food, and you do not even need a large space. You can use a bucket to plant,” said Khuzwayo.

The centre offers ECD training and economic empowerment skills which are sewing, beadwork and cooking classes. They also have three wandering schools.

When Hawkins stepped down in 2013, Thokozani Poswa took over the programme, however he died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Khuzwayo, a teacher by profession, took over in 2021.

“It was the most challenging time,” she said.

“There were no donations coming in. After Covid, it was the floods and then the looting. We are beyond blessed to have survived that period, as many organisations closed down and many people lost their jobs.

“We were not even getting our daily bread or rolls from shopping retailers.”
In response to the growing need in communities, Phakamisa introduced a porridge programme. “That project took us by storm. People brought mealie meal, others brought sugar, while others donated milk and peanut butter.”

Phakamisa’s ECD centres are located in Clermont, Inanda and the Village area near Chatsworth, serving about 90 children. The organisation also offers block training to assist other crèches, drawing on the extensive experience and expertise of its staff in ECD programmes.

This is reflected in the number of ECD practitioners the organisation has trained over the years.

“Some of them are now teachers. We have principals who came through Phakamisa, and there are people who have opened their own crèches,” said Khuzwayo.

The organisation also runs support groups and, where necessary, refers victims to the Open Door Crisis Centre.

With a passion for serving children and the elderly, Khuzwayo said her years with Phakamisa have been deeply rewarding.

“Sometimes it is very challenging because of the cases we witness. It can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. As a mother, seeing a child living in such difficult conditions is painful.”
Due to economic pressures, beneficiaries pay only R100 for the entire year.

“They come twice a month, and we group them because we work with people from as far as Cato Ridge.

“The skills they learn help them put food on the table. It reduces the stigma of poverty and helps people who previously had no skills.”

Khuzwayo encouraged people to become proactive in improving their circumstances. “People must get a skill. One of our gardens in Inanda even produced vegetables for large stores.”

She added that many areas continue to face challenges, particularly with access to water tanks and proper fencing.

Khuzwayo thanked everyone that has assisted them over the years and expressed gratitude to Westville Pre-Primary School which has been their supporter for many years.

For more information, contact Phakamisa on 031 702 7308.

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