„…to stand on your own feed…“

– is the translation for the Zulu expression „zimele“ and expresses at the same time the goal of the organisation that Vezuthando e.V. supports since mid-2008.

Where is Zimele’s scope and what are the aims of our South African partner ?
Women in the the regions of Swayimane and Drakensberg in the South African province KwaZulu Natal take their lives into their own hands. Zimele gathers the women in self-help groups, where they learn how to effectively use money and found a small enterprise. Concurrently space is given to discuss everyday problems. Experiencing joint understanding and no longer remaining powerless towards poverty, HIV and unemploament – this is what Zimele stands for.

What excatly supports Vezuthando?
The carft project has been further developed though the support of Vezuthando e.V. 80 women use their skills to produce crafts and jewellery by using traditional materials. This project is promising and successful. Within the last months the women had a turnover of 32.000 Rand a month, which enable them to increase their monthly income up to 1.000 Rand each.

Why do we support the craft-project?
Vezuthando e.V. decided to support this Zimele project in particular, because it gives women a chance to earn their own income. After the training the participants are able to lead a self-dtermined life and support their families – children can then go to school, the women’s self-confidence grows due to the support they receive by the group and the overall socio-economic situation of the family improves.

What are donations used for?
Besides new aquisations fort he various groups, e.g. sewing maschines, the money is used for holding workshops and conducting trainings. Participants learn about accounting and can discuss product design. Vezuthando e.V. pays for the the workshop related personnel expenditures. Furthermore, Vezuthando e.V. has contributed to improve the logistics and the transport situation by funding a car in 2009. In addition we function as an occasional buyer for the craft products.
During the last year a fire triggered by lightening destroyed the training room in Winterton/Drakensberg. Fixing the damage was motive for Zimele and Vezuthando e.V. to extend the building to enhance training capacity.

What are the present achievements of Vezuthando e.V.’s support?
Since its foundation in 2006 Zimele has reached out to 450 women and therefore to more than 2.2500 children. The number of self-help groups has grown up to 45 groups within the first year. In line with the micro credit programme the women gathered savings of over 3.500 € and took 600 credits. In 2008 the women of the self-help groups organised themselves into seven cluster level associations advocating for improved level of life. Zimele serves as a great example in the struggle against unemployment and poverty in these regions, illustrating that development through committed people is possible without creating dependencies. This idea has such an immense potential that we hope to support this project in the long run and ensure its growth with your support

What are Zimele future pans?
The present success of Zimele confirms the efforts and dedication of the women. We are glad to inform you, that Zimele plans to expand its craft project to the neighbouring country Zimbabwe. Vezuthando e.V. is thrilled of such a strong and motivated partner project. Therefore, we will support this project in the future and explore further options to engage even more.

Additionally, Zimele is our partner for Build & Ride. Already in September 2009 a group visited South Africa to refurbish together acomputer training room together with the community. A local partner organisation now trains young people in EDV-skills. The next team send of by Vezuthando e.V. will get to know the Zimele community this September. Interested?! …apply here for B&R 2010.

Zimele updates information on activities and products on its own homepage on www.zimelecommunity.org. Some crafts can be purchased from Vezuthando e.V. members!!