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Zimele Molweni Centre
For Mentally and Physically Challenged
Children
General
Headway-Natal, in the suburb of Westville 12 km outside the city of Durban KZN, is a charitable organisation dedicated to survivors of brain injury and stroke. As part of its Outreach Programme, Headway has been supporting Zimele Molweni for some 5 years, sourcing funding for transport, a feeding scheme, a therapist, teacher training and salaries.
The 35 children and young adults at the centre are all classed as "Special Needs" and Zimele was established to provide diversionary activities and life- skill training 5 days a week.
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Zimele has been left with no substantial funding to sustain the Activity Programme.
The situation is critical. Unemployment in the Molweni area is rife and most of the children come from homes in which there are no breadwinners, while some have lost their parents to the AIDS pandemic. Without the respite care, education and skills offered at Zimele, the children will have to remain at home and add to the burden already felt by the families.
Grants
The grants ensured that the children receive at least one meal a day, that they are able to reach the centre without a long walk (bearing in mind that some of the children are physically disabled as well as mentally challenged),
and that a meaningful programme of activities was offered,
with on-going training for staff and volunteers.
At present it is costing approximately R11 000 per month for operational costs, and funding is urgently needed to keep the centre running.
Building
More recently work commenced on the building of 2 classrooms through Natal Schools Project funded by Operation Jumpstart (the old Natal Lotto). This has highlighted the problem of sustainability as the funding for operational costs has been cut back to a bare minimum. Ubuntu Community Chest has recently made a small grant available which will assist a little, but more substantial funding is vital.
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In addition to these immediate needs there are other aspects to consider. Over the past few years since Headway became involved in assisting Zimele Molweni, many attempts have been made to provide income-generating activities at the centre but, usually through lack of funds, these projects have not been sustainable.
One of the most suitable and logical self-help projects which has been discussed is a Vegetable Garden, not only to supplement the feeding scheme, but also to provide an opportunity to generate income for the centre. Zimele is housed in an old farm workshop and there is enough land around the building to set up a vegetable-growing scheme.
If you require any further information please contact Headway. Also please note that Zimele Molweni is registered as a
not-for-Profit Organisation
Can you Help?
If you are turning out your cupboards, replacing household items or would just like to help Zimele, here is the list of things we need :
FOR ZIMELE:
Food items:
Tins of pilchards, beans, tomatoes, peas ; fruit etc
School items:
Paper, crayons, white board markers, koki pens etc.
Fridge and/or freezer, cooker, sewing machines, electric kettle, pots and pans, children's swimming costumes, old swimming towels, blankets.
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