Community Projects
Multi-function Community Centre
Jabulani has been granted a prime piece of land in Zithulele village by the community and chiefs, with plans to develop this land for the benefit of the community. Phase One of the development was completed in 2011, where, with the assistance of construction company Rumdel's CSR investment, the three dilapidated buildings previously on the land have been renovated into a library, community hall and Jabulani Foundation offices.
Phase Two is planned to constitute the building of staff accommodation and a maths and science lab.
Outside the buildings a community play park has been built with a jungle gym complete with climbing wall! Roger Galloway, local eco-warrior and furniture craftsman, regularly brings a slack line to set up adjacent to the jungle gym, much to the delight of the local children, especially the boys! We envisage that the site as a whole will become a place for all sections of the community to meet, learn and communicate, and look forward to having a range of events take place at the facilities in the coming months.
Phase Two is planned to constitute the building of staff accommodation and a maths and science lab.
Outside the buildings a community play park has been built with a jungle gym complete with climbing wall! Roger Galloway, local eco-warrior and furniture craftsman, regularly brings a slack line to set up adjacent to the jungle gym, much to the delight of the local children, especially the boys! We envisage that the site as a whole will become a place for all sections of the community to meet, learn and communicate, and look forward to having a range of events take place at the facilities in the coming months.
Micro-finance Projects
The lack of employment opportunities, with around 90% of people out of work and relying on government grants to support them and their families, is a huge problem in this area. These community members live hand-to-mouth, and have no surplus funds to break them out of the poverty cycle.
Through our micro-finance project, we are keen to bring economic empowerment to the community; providing small, interest-free loans to those applicants with a workable business plan. The loans are to assist with essential start-up costs for business, for example buying initial supplies. We also provide essential business skills training and ongoing support.
Since the project's conception in September 2008, we have provided loans for 13 women to start a sewing business together. They are using the money to buy material, repair old machines and pay a local lady to teach them the basics - the women have already starting making aprons and selling them outside the hospital.
Through our micro-finance project, we are keen to bring economic empowerment to the community; providing small, interest-free loans to those applicants with a workable business plan. The loans are to assist with essential start-up costs for business, for example buying initial supplies. We also provide essential business skills training and ongoing support.
Since the project's conception in September 2008, we have provided loans for 13 women to start a sewing business together. They are using the money to buy material, repair old machines and pay a local lady to teach them the basics - the women have already starting making aprons and selling them outside the hospital.
More recently we have teamed up with entrepreneur James Jabula who makes a variety of leather products – from cell phone covers and wallets to shoes to harnesses and horse blinkers! His handiwork is exceptional but he lacks business acumen. We awarded him an interest-free loan to enable him to purchase a leather working machine and drastically improve his output, which he has now repaid. We continue to give him ongoing coaching in running his business. When I asked him if Jabulani has helped improve his business he replied with an emphatic "Kakhulu!" (Greatly).
