Work is getting started on the rehab and upgrades to the new Project Humanity Volunteer Center.  With the assistance of several of our neighbors (who are themselves volunteers!) in Ntabamhlope the tall grass that had grown around the building has been burned away and is starting to be cleared.  We also received the estimate for the building repairs which includes electrical wire fixes, roof repair, plumbing fixes, fencing and other security upgrades- grand total R20,000 or about $2,700 US.  Our goal is to have this work complete by October.   Please see our “ways to give” link if you’re interested in providing assistance.

If you’ve read about our history you know that we’ve been traveling all over the world doing mission work.  Now that we’re settling in Ntabamholphe, and we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting down to work.  Our July trip was our most successful ever and it laid the foundation for what we’re going to be doing for the next ten years (or more!).   Check this page and our blog for regulator updates about what teams are doing.

July 24-31 Village Council Trip

Seven volunteers, ranging in age from 10 to 50, joined Project Humanity staff on an unforgettable trip to Ntabamholphe.  One of the primary objectives of the trip was to secure agreements with the village chief and council regarding Project Humanity’s mission in the village and to deliver food aid.  We’re proud to report we succeed in these efforts.  Other highlights of the trip included:

- Using volunteer-donated funds we purchased and delivered over 100 kilos of maze and rice to families of children taking care of children and/or those suffering from AIDS.  We recognize that giving away food is not a solution to problems in the village, but if it can make life a little easier until more sustainable solutions are put into place then we’re all for it.

- Our youngest volunteer, Kalyn who is 10, worked for the better part of a year to raise funds to volunteer for this trip.  As part of fundraising she also collected over 100 stuffed animals to give to children in the area.   During our visit to the pediatric wing of the Estcourt Hospital, Kalyn and other volunteers lit up the faced of the children in the wing by giving away some of the toys.   Many of the children, especially the infants, are suffering from malnutrition and end up spending several weeks at the hospital.  We also entered into an agreement with the hospital to continue to make regulator visits to the pediatric wing and to work cooperatively on HIV/AIDS awareness and education efforts.  We also volunteered to pick-up and collect trash around the hospital entrance (we picked up nearly 75 pounds of trash!).

- Volunteers spent several hours each day participating in various educational and cultural exchange activities to include learning about the Zulu culture and leading nearly 100 children in games and activities.

- After the village council gave approval for Project Humanity to take over a former family planning building and surrounding land, volunteers went over to perform initial clean up and perform a site assessment.  Plans were drafted to make modifications to the building and we received an estimate of $2500 to make immediate roof, window, and security repairs.  We’re now working to raise funds to pay for the repairs. (Also check out the upcoming trip in December: Volunteer Center Remodeling Project!)

- We were very excited to meet with the director and representatives of the Estcourt Hospice Association.  Established in 1991, the Estcourt Hospice Association offers palliative care throughout the entire Estcourt area of Kwazulu Natal.  Over the period of two meeting we entered into a partnership agreement with the Association to coordinate future HIV/AIDS outreach and follow-up care initiatives.