A NON PROFIT ORGANISATION

Future Projects

An open letter from the chief

It’s time for a Yebo-Africa trip again. (And yes, Sandra, I know, it’s been too long…….)

So, are you guys up for it?

As (some of) you may know I am a board member of the Igugu Community Centre, which is a registered non-governmental organisation in South Africa. Igugu (Zulu word meaning ‘treasure’) is aimed at supporting compromised family structures as a result of HIV/AIDS.

Igugu Care Circles are the principal tool by which the organisation seeks to achieve its objectives of providing support to children and families as they seek to overcome the tragedy of HIV/AIDS, to give them the tools to help them stand on their own feet and to establish a culture of mutual support within local communities.

An Igugu Care Circle is made up of a group of families living in the same area, whose lives have been directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. Typically, these are either child-headed families or families dependent on one pension for survival.

The tragedy of HIV/AIDS often leaves the burden of holding a family together on the shoulders of either the young or the old. Igugu believes that families are at the heart of strong communities and that however compromised by the pandemic, families remain the most effective unit in which children can be nurtured. We therefore believe that rather than removing children from their families, practical support needs to be given to these struggling families where they are.

I had the opportunity to visit the KwaSdudla Care Circle in Ulundi, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, in April this year. What I found there really inspired me. They already have a community garden, which they are eating from, up and running. Excess is sold to help buy more seeds.

I would love YEBO AFRICA to contribute to the work of the KwaSdudla Care Circle, which consists eleven (11) families. We could, for example, help them with a poultry project, extend the garden, spend some time the kids, help them improve their English language skills, help with homework, play group sports with them, take them on a trip to the Game Reserve, the list goes on and on. I think there is plenty we can do to help improve the quality of their lives in just a few days.

So, are you in? If you are let me know so that I can begin concretely planning the trip. I was thinking the best time to do it would be September 2021?

Look forward to hearing from you,

Jimbo.