Essie Group empowers women through food and skills training

It is an opportunity to support those who are vulnerable, unemployed and struggling to provide for their families.

Through the Essie Group, Ngobeni and her team marked Women’s Month by giving back to women and elderly residents in the community to make them feel valued and supported.

The organisation provides fresh vegetables to elderly women, particularly grandmothers, who visit each week to collect produce. About 30 women receive vegetables each week as part of the initiative.

ALSO READ: Local female students get empowered on Women’s Day

Ngobeni said the organisation also provides food assistance to more than 50 people each week, with a particular focus on unemployed women and families experiencing food insecurity.

“We cater for more than 50 people who are struggling with food, especially unemployed women. Every Wednesday, we provide food assistance to those who are in need,” Ngobeni said.

She said the assistance focuses on basic food and groceries that can help families through difficult periods.

“It takes a lot of planning, teamwork and commitment. We have different activities on different days, so we try to organise our programme properly and make sure that everyone knows what needs to be done,” she said.

However, Ngobeni said the organisation’s work goes beyond providing food.

ALSO READ: Calling on Bonaero Park Residents on Women’s Day

“We also understand that helping people is not only about giving them food. We want to empower women so that they can eventually support themselves,” she said.

The organisation offers practical skills training, including nail care and massage, which Ngobeni hopes will give women skills they can use to generate an income.

“The heart comes from seeing the struggles that people face, especially unemployed women and elderly people. When you see someone going to bed hungry or a grandmother struggling to provide for her family, it becomes difficult to ignore,” she said.

“That is why we don’t only provide food. We also teach women practical skills such as nail care and massage, allowing them to learn something that they can potentially turn into an income.”

Ngobeni said the ultimate goal was to help women become more independent while providing them with hope, skills and opportunities.

The initiative has also received a positive response from community members, with Ngobeni saying the appreciation shown by those who receive assistance is an important reminder of the value of community support.

“Their smiles and appreciation remind us that even a small gesture can make a big difference,” she said.

Despite the demand for assistance, Ngobeni said limited resources remained one of the biggest challenges facing the initiative.

ALSO READ: Letter: EMPD spokesperson reflects on Women’s Month

“The biggest challenge is resources because there are many people who need help, but we don’t always have enough to assist everyone,” she said.

She said the organisation relied on teamwork, careful planning and support from people willing to contribute to its work.

“We also try to use whatever resources we have wisely so that we can continue helping people consistently,” she said.

Ngobeni encouraged people who want to make a difference in their communities not to wait until they have significant financial resources before taking action.

“Don’t wait until you have a lot of money or resources before you start. Start with whatever you have. Even if you can help one person, you have already made a difference,” she said.

She added that community support does not necessarily have to involve money.

“You can give your time, your skills, food, clothing or simply support someone emotionally. The important thing is to start and remain consistent,” Ngobeni said.

The Essie Group is continuing to develop its programmes, with plans to create a platform where women can support and empower one another.

The organisation aims to continue its food and vegetable initiatives while expanding its skills-training programmes.

“Our vision is to reach more women, equip them with practical skills and help them create opportunities for themselves. We believe that when you empower a woman, you don’t only change her life; you can positively impact her family and the wider community,” Ngobeni said.

For Dr Essie Ngobeni, Women’s Month is about more than celebrating women.

It is an opportunity to support those who are vulnerable, unemployed and struggling to provide for their families.

Through the Essie Group, Ngobeni and her team marked Women’s Month by giving back to women and elderly residents in the community to make them feel valued and supported.

The organisation provides fresh vegetables to elderly women, particularly grandmothers, who visit each week to collect produce. About 30 women receive vegetables each week as part of the initiative.

ALSO READ: Local female students get empowered on Women’s Day

Ngobeni said the organisation also provides food assistance to more than 50 people each week, with a particular focus on unemployed women and families experiencing food insecurity.

“We cater for more than 50 people who are struggling with food, especially unemployed women. Every Wednesday, we provide food assistance to those who are in need,” Ngobeni said.

She said the assistance focuses on basic food and groceries that can help families through difficult periods.

“It takes a lot of planning, teamwork and commitment. We have different activities on different days, so we try to organise our programme properly and make sure that everyone knows what needs to be done,” she said.

However, Ngobeni said the organisation’s work goes beyond providing food.

ALSO READ: Calling on Bonaero Park Residents on Women’s Day

“We also understand that helping people is not only about giving them food. We want to empower women so that they can eventually support themselves,” she said.

The organisation offers practical skills training, including nail care and massage, which Ngobeni hopes will give women skills they can use to generate an income.

“The heart comes from seeing the struggles that people face, especially unemployed women and elderly people. When you see someone going to bed hungry or a grandmother struggling to provide for her family, it becomes difficult to ignore,” she said.

“That is why we don’t only provide food. We also teach women practical skills such as nail care and massage, allowing them to learn something that they can potentially turn into an income.”

Ngobeni said the ultimate goal was to help women become more independent while providing them with hope, skills and opportunities.

The initiative has also received a positive response from community members, with Ngobeni saying the appreciation shown by those who receive assistance is an important reminder of the value of community support.

“Their smiles and appreciation remind us that even a small gesture can make a big difference,” she said.

Despite the demand for assistance, Ngobeni said limited resources remained one of the biggest challenges facing the initiative.

ALSO READ: Letter: EMPD spokesperson reflects on Women’s Month

“The biggest challenge is resources because there are many people who need help, but we don’t always have enough to assist everyone,” she said.

She said the organisation relied on teamwork, careful planning and support from people willing to contribute to its work.

“We also try to use whatever resources we have wisely so that we can continue helping people consistently,” she said.

Ngobeni encouraged people who want to make a difference in their communities not to wait until they have significant financial resources before taking action.

“Don’t wait until you have a lot of money or resources before you start. Start with whatever you have. Even if you can help one person, you have already made a difference,” she said.

She added that community support does not necessarily have to involve money.

“You can give your time, your skills, food, clothing or simply support someone emotionally. The important thing is to start and remain consistent,” Ngobeni said.

The Essie Group is continuing to develop its programmes, with plans to create a platform where women can support and empower one another.

The organisation aims to continue its food and vegetable initiatives while expanding its skills-training programmes.

“Our vision is to reach more women, equip them with practical skills and help them create opportunities for themselves. We believe that when you empower a woman, you don’t only change her life; you can positively impact her family and the wider community,” Ngobeni said.