THIS year has left many NPOs unable to operate at full capacity, including the locally-based Amangwe Village, just 25km from KwaMbonambi.

The NPO, which has a decades-long sterling reputation, is responsible for impacting the lives of thousands of rural, mostly impoverished, community members through upliftment programmes.

However, the current financial status has put a halt on many programmes, with government funding only able to subsidise salaries of social workers and payment for children attending creche in term-time.

Community upliftment programmes The past two decades, Amangwe Village has received consistent donations from Richards Bay-based corporate and industrial companies.

These funds have allowed for the establishment of community projects including (among others);

The orphan and vulnerable children project Women empowerment projects Food security projects

The home-based care programme Ongoing HIV/AIDS awareness programmes

Empowering rural women With gender-based violence highlighted as a major social challenge, it’s important to note the impact of Amangwe’s women-empowerment programmes that have changed the lives of more than 3 000 rural women.

Established self-help groups have allowed women to build their own homes, extend their homes, send their children and grandchildren to school, start their own small businesses, and much more.

The success of this model has seen it replicated by other local NPOs, with Amangwe providing training and assistance.

Amangwe Village also has 25, fully-trained, home-based carers.

They provide basic healthcare services to around 390 community members who are unable to visit a clinic – many of whom are elderly or disabled.

The home-based carers also assist community members with taking prescribed medication.

All of this is overseen by the Amangwe Village home-based carer co-ordinator, with the NPO responsible for paying the carers’ stipends, further development and training, and the provision of a basic medical kit.

How to help Without Amangwe Village, all of these life-saving projects would come to an end, impacting the lives of thousands of impoverished Zululand citizens.

Amangwe Village is appealing to all businesses and individuals to consider donating in any way possible.

‘Times have become very difficult indeed, and without community help, Amangwe Village won’t pull through,’ said Amangwe Manager, Zanele Mabaso.

‘We are incredibly grateful to all those corporates who have assisted us in their generous, consistent donations throughout the years, and we recognise that this year has been tough for all.’

Individuals can: Sponsor a child at the Amangwe creche for R350/month;

Fund the toy library which caters to more than 20 rural creches;

Donate towards the running costs of the organisation;

or Help subsidise Amangwe’s home-based carers.

For more information on how to assist Amangwe Village, contact Zanele Mabaso on 035 5804504 or email manager@amangwe.org.za

To make a deposit: Account name: Amangwe Village – cheque account

Bank: First National Bank Account number: 62036506981

Branch code: 220830  

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