Mrs. Octavie Gwala is 55 years old. She tells of a very challenging upbringing, because her family did not have the means to send her to school. So she quickly stopped dreaming of a better future – and of becoming a teacher – and focused on her survival.

But since she joined Zimele, Mrs. Gwala has become a community developer in her own way and has formed 10 Self Help Groups (SHGs) with a total of 100+ members. She is training and mentoring these groups. Her life has completely changed from being just an ordinary community woman to a busy woman with a training schedule. Continue Reading »

Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. — Robert McKee

We all have a story to tell.  Our experiences have shaped who we are and who we want to become.  Our connections to others further mold our understanding of the world we live in.  But all too often, some stories are ignored and cast aside while others are elevated and given much attention.  Having a story to tell when there is no one around to hear it can be an incredibly frustrating experience.  Having a story to tell and having no one willing to listen is almost dehumanizing. When your voice is not heard, it is difficult to have the space to change your community.  Often, we miss a reflection of the face of God in our neighbor because there is no place for our neighbor to tell her story.  For many women in the Zimele program, their powerful stories are left unheard and unrecognized as part of our history.  Continue Reading »

Below is another great update from our partner Zimele, in South Africa. This women’s empowerment project give women the necessary skills and resources to begin their own businesses and projects to support their families and communities.

“Pretty Mbeje, a dynamic and willing woman, is involved in the Zimele Craft Programme. She is a member of the Qhubekela Self Help Group.  Pretty, along with the rest of this group decided to see what craft training could do for them back in 2011 and they worked on various products throughout the year.  Pretty enjoyed the craft program and she was able to make products with great skill and a great attention to quality and detail.  Pretty and the group focused on sewing as this is where her skills were best and she enjoyed making these types of products. 

Pretty comes from a household of 9 people and is married, but lives in a house that is owned by her in-laws.  But, even though the house is not hers or her husbands, she is lucky to have electricity to cook with and to use for lights (although her heating is mainly still done with wood).  Pretty’s income in 2011 was approximately R2000 a year, which is a relatively good income but it doesn’t go far as there are 9 people in the house.  Her income mainly comes from her husband (who is the primary income earner) and child grants and in 2011 she earned a little sum for her craft as she was still learning.  But, still she persevered with the craft program as it made her happy to be doing something to contribute to the house and she enjoyed being with the other women of the group.  Continue Reading »

Thanda is a young woman that has been cared for, supported by, and introduced to the Self Help Group concept by the women in the Zimele program. Thanda has concentrated on building her Bed & Breakfast business. Through hosting local visitors and overseas Zimele members, she has created an income for her family and invested in expanding her accommodation facilities for her guests. In the last seven months, Thanda has been able to generate income amounting to nearly $1,400!