PROJECTS

The first principle to be kept in mind all the time is that the Trust tries to help Zolani people help themselves. The people themselves are their best resource for change, given the right encouragement they can make a difference to their own lives, families and in time the community in which they live. The next principle is that we can only go as far and as fast as the competence of the available manpower and finances. We must not make promises that neither the Trust nor the people can fulfill. The following projects have been started:

VEGETABLE GARDENS

We have 44 gardens that have worked well with several of them producing to sell. This season we are adding a further 100. These will be low maintenance gardens employing irrigation and mulching systems. There is quite a bit of teaching involved but we are optimistic that the gardeners will swiftly familiarise themselves with the procedures and produce good crops. Sadly the Dept of Agriculture have been very slow in giving us the support they promised so we are in danger of missing this next growing season, we shall have to wait and see.

I the meantime we have received splendid support from Holland where donors have given R12,000 to help provide training. The donors are impressed with our progress and want to support the project for three years. That is so encouraging.

HORTICULTURAL PROJECT

The seedling nursery is up and in use. Tshozi is learning fast. We have taken advice from local commercial nurserymen and also had the input of a qualified soil scientist. The result is that we are confident that we know what we are doing and have people to go to if it goes wrong. We have trays of cabbages, tomatoes, beans, mealies, onions, beetroot, squash and spinach all planted in trays and growing well. We spray with organic humic acid, zinc, potassium and Boron all of which help to produce a strong and healthy seedling. The initial seedlings will be planted into our own gardens and these are sold to create revenue so we can pay wages.

A further 30,000 seedlings have to be produced for the over 150 gardens we are to supply. We cannot do this until the Dept of Agriculture release the funding they have promised. This will buy, tools, seeds, growing medium, soil supplements etc. Funds are promised for end of August so we should be able to supply seedlings early October. It is a bit late but better late than never.

This is a really great project serving the community, facilitating them to produce food for themselves. We would love to enjoy donor funding instead of Dept of Agriculture support which is onerous with bureaucracy and insensitive to the seasons.

CLOTHES DISTRIBUTION

There is a constant need for clothing across all ages. Requests are made to the residents of Montagu the adjacent town who regularly give. These are then taken to a team of women who distribute the clothes to the very needy. A follow up call is made to ensure the clothes have not been sold for drink.

SEWING

Three second hand but usable sowing machines together with material have been donated. We have a woman in Zolani who can use a machine and she is teaching three women to make clothes. The first clothes are for use in their own family after which they can sow to sell. We do not have a room where this can be done at present so it moves from home to home. However when a room becomes available is will enable this project to become more organised.

LEATHER WORK

We have a good supply of Kudu leather in various shades and sizes. Two of the women are making leather goods which at present they are selling for themselves in the Township. When a room is available this project will be brought in so it can be commercialized.

SOUP

Some 100 people are fed a very nourishing soup twice a week. Mama wireless otherwise known as "Mama Soup" is in charge. On a small three plate stove vegetables, marrow bones and chilli stock are boiled down in two large saucepans. There is a queue at the door at 2.00 o'clock and the soup is all gone by 3.00. We lack the facilities to enlarge this work but are hoping that our building plans will be approved and funded so that we can. This soup facility has become a part of the peoples week and many friendships are emerging.

Zolani Wood

View Zolani Wood Pictures

The range of products continues to expand with wine racks, chests and wood framed pictures. Over January and February two clients came and purchased all of their stock, amazing and so encouraging. The Saturday market in Montagu is still the main outlet providing a meaningful shop window so even if they do not sell product on a Saturday, which is seldom, they get visitors during the week who buy. Having the workshop is really helpful allowing product to be made without disrupting Emily's home and the neighbours. Zolani Wood made an excellent job of building the Seed Nursery, it has impressed several farmers. They are due to build the school kitchen as soon as funds are available. Simon's heart is to see more men employed which would be a real joy.

For further details of range and prices view "Contact" page. To View Gallery of Zolani Wood "Click here"

DANCE

The dancing was too successful and out grew the church. It has moved to the Secondary School where Fiona continues with two Zolani helpers to teach dance to the children, It is a fabulous project. There are now almost 100 young people involved. They have danced at recent shows and the Youth Festival in Montagu. They won a double gold before an enthralled and rapturous audience.

ZOLANI FLY TRAPS

Made out of Coca Cola bottles these fly traps really do work and work very well. At R25 each they are less expensive than other products and we have some very pleased customers. One man making 12 a month can pay his electricity for the month! They are using a waste product to kill pests from which a very good plant feed is produced. These flytraps need no filters and can be re-used time and time again.

ZOLANI MISSION SCHOOL

Started as a pre-school early in 2006 this school which started with only 8 pupils now has 45. They are divided into under threes and over threes with the rising 5's moving up to infant school status grade 1 in January. The school teaches the Accelerated Christian Education syllabus which covers all the required schools subjects. It teaches in English which is sought after by parents who see English as a key to the child's education and future. Parents pay R30 per month in fees if they can afford it. Teaching is by two qualified Zolani women. The school is properly registered and receives limited financial support from the Council. We are three months into the school year without an envisioned head teacher. The school needs a capable volunteer teacher to spend 12 months with the school to get it on a proper footing again.

ICE CREAM

Fran has developed the production of superb organic healthy ice cream. She uses local fruit. hormone free milk, fructose instead of sugar and free range eggs. The end result is addictive!
A market with restaurants, hotels and 'padstalls' is developing. When the Zolani building is completed it is hoped to transfer the ice cream production to there. It should employ 2 persons.

KNITTING

Fran has given a few lessons to the women in Zolani who have taken well to it. It is quite difficult to do for Fran because of culture clashes which cannot be explained here. There are some 8-9 women involved who can all now knit their own scarves.

SURVEY

We are midway through a door to door survey. We are trying to establish the right needs so that our projects scratch where the people itch. The survey is revealing the money coming into households; the food they eat and how much they spend on food. We shall publish our findings in our next web update, it will be very revealing.

SKILLS TRAINING

This will happen at the workshop to be built. We are talking to SETA the government skills training department but we are not overly impressed with what they have to offer but we must look at them a little closer. In the meantime we have had an offer of R180,000 per annum for three years from Holland to fund the project. We have of course to satisfy the donors on what we intend. Wonderful news.
There is so much that can be done but we are limited by the number of competent people available and the lack of funding. But all in good time, we must be careful not to swamp the people