For the past 14 years Marcelle and Rosie, and more recently Hazel have been volunteering for Ingwavuma and the surrounding area, approximately 2,100 sq kms and with an estimated population of 120,000. In January, Marcelle and Rosie visited Ingwavuma to check up on previous projects and assess future needs. This was a self funded trip.
Water
The supply and access to clean water is a great problem. Over the last four years we have concentrated our funding on water harvesting tanks and boreholes. A total of 109 water tanks have been installed for the most needy families. This has changed and saved the lives of people and animals. Every tank has a plaque with the donors name on it.
Stars of Tomorrow
Fancy Stitch set up a support network called “The Stars of Tomorrow”. This is to help the 45 orphans whose mothers used to embroider for Fancy Stitch. During 2017 Action for Ingwavuma bought the children school uniforms, exercise books and paid for group activity camps. Orphans are among the most vulnerable people in this community and we are very pleased to help them.
Community Gardens
This was our 7th trip and each time we have visited the industrious Fancy Stitch group at Eishlangweni. This community garden and water project, funded by a UK company, is highly successful and continues to flourish. The citrus and avocado trees were laden, mielies were being harvested and vegetables were plentiful. We were welcomed with heart-warming singing, dancing and given a meal of vegetables grown in the garden. We brought out from the UK gifts of wind-up torches and reading glasses. This incredible group of women were given a chance, took the challenge and continue to improve their lives.
Our second community garden at Machobeni, also made possible by another UK company, includes an impressive community centre, with guttering from the roof which feeds vital water tanks, borehole and toilets. The women who work here are now able to feed their families and they sell excess produce to the local supermarket.
Sponsorship
During our trip we caught up with the needy children and young adults who are sponsored, through Action for Ingwavuma, by individual UK donors. Each sponsorship is unique to the individual, some examples are paying for school fees, helping with day-to-day living and even funding locals to go to University. We are now pleased to be able to give direct reports to sponsors.
Zisize Orphanage
This orphanage is a really happy place for 24 children, in a cluster of three houses. A loyal fundraiser, who did an arduous cycle ride in the Alps, has allowed us to use part of his money, to build four new toilets.
Epap
This high nutrient food supplement is given, in this poverty-stricken community, to people on antiretroviral drugs and those suffering from malnutrition. Action for Ingwavuma increased the funding for this product during 2017. Due to the drought, families were unable to grow food for themselves and feed their animals and needed extra support.
Fancy Stitch
The embroiderers of the Fancy Stitch self-help group were delighted with the sewing machine, fabric, embroidery cotton and scissors given to us by WorkAid UK. We carried these items in our luggage. Fancy Stitch continues to produce beautiful products, which we sell after the presentations we give on the lives of women in this rural community. Events in private homes, commercial companies, Women Institute and schools etc.
Marcelle, Rosie and Hazel are all volunteers for Action for Ingwavuma. All travel costs for the trip have been personally funded. All monies raised go directly to the people of Ingwavuma.
