A NEED for a better future for her community was what made KwaNyuswa resident, Lydia Hlophe, start upliftment projects in the area.
Yenzanathi Community Uplift Projects was started in 2007 to feed orphans and elderly people who are looking after their grandchildren.
“We hold a soup kitchen twice a week,” said Hlophe.
Hlophe was working as a domestic worker when she started the NPO. “At that time, we were only feeding ten houses, but today we have 65 houses (257 people) that we look after.”
Recently, the National Development Agency (NDA) donated 100 lay chickens to the organisations. Hlophe said the chickens generate an income as they sell them to the community.
“We also give some of the eggs to our beneficiaries, as the chickens lay more than 100 eggs a day. Our problem is that we do not have a place for storage so that we can keep them fresh. We appeal to anyone who can assist us.
“The eggs needs to stay fresh for our customers and the beneficiaries, and unfortunately sometimes we end up throwing some of them away,” said Hlophe.
The organisation has other projects to generate income: they have a half-hectare garden where they plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, sweet potatoes and other vegetables.
“We also have an internet café, which was sponsored by the Department of Social Development.
“There are five young people who work there as volunteers; they also help pupils with their homework,” she said.
Anyone who wishes to assist Yenzanathi with a storage facility for the eggs and vegetables can contact Lydia Hlophe on 073 122 2632 or 078 878 9118.
