DURBANITES will soon be able to experience the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) on a whole new level with the upcoming launch of its exciting new venture – the Ubuntu Ground coffee shop.
Once the container arrived, a greatly appreciated donation from Container World, construction began in earnest. Funding for the project was received from the Old Mutual Foundation’s enterprise development and training programme.
HACT’s CEO, Candace Davidson, said, “We are training unemployed, out-of-school youth and giving them skills development exercises around hospitality, money management, food management, life skills training, health and personal development. These youth will then be more employable in the future with these added skill sets.”
ALSO READ: Your support helps create a safe space at Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust
The vibe, look and feel the NPO is going for with its coffee shop is in sync with Woza Moya, its award-winning economic empowerment project.
“Our slogan is ‘so much more than coffee’, because it really is. Our coffee beans come from a fair trade co-op and the produce we use will be coming directly from the gardens in the local community,” said a proud Candace.
Cwengi Mleya, the coffee shop manager, said “I cant wait to see many different faces coming to the coffee shop, which will add a fresh way for people to interact with HACT and add sustainability. What is just as exciting is that through the skills development, we aren’t just empowering an individual, but their families as well. Personally, I am hoping for them to grow and then go and give back to their own communities.”
Craig Charity, the owner of the multi-award winning Lineage Coffee, began mentoring and training the dedicated team of youngsters in the first week of December.
ALSO READ: Westville woman takes up new role at Religions for Peace organisation
He has shared his vast knowledge prior to the opening and has also given HACT advice in terms of sourcing equipment, the shop’s layout and the logistical setup of the coffee shop. He will also source the beans that will be used in the coffee.
“Coffee is a great way to change people’s lives and I believe they (HACT) can use coffee to create jobs and facilitate communities there and they will be able to generate revenue for the other streams there (at HACT),” said Craig.
The local coffee shop is family friendly, will have a children’s play area as well and HACT hopes to launch the new income generating initiative in mid-February.
“We want people to be filled with joy when they visit here and experience the vibe of empowerment, love and hope that HACT stands for – even with a cup of coffee, or one of the many goodies that will be sold at the coffee shop,” said Candace.
Follow the coffee shop on Instagram, @ubuntugroundcafe. Contact HACT on 031 765 5866.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
