VIDEO: Pour your support into The Valley Trust’s upgrade project
The local non-profit organisation needs your help to complete its fantastic income generating renovation project.
AFTER losing R12 million in financial support when its international partners pulled out of eThekwini due to a funding streamline, the Valley Trust regrouped, reshuffled and is now on a mission to ensure its survival by becoming a self-sustainable non-profit organisation.
Sitting on 2.39 hectares of land, the organisation, based in Botha’s Hill, has been around for more than 60 years and delivers health-related services to communities in the valley.
With the loss of the international funding and the subsequent retrenchment of 59 staff members, the team looked at its large property as a way to help generate much-needed funding.
The NPO has embarked on an ambitious project to upgrade the facilities on its grounds from refurbishing and painting its buildings and opening up space for offices to rent out as well as accommodation for visitors to the area.
Pippa Whittle, the business development specialist, and Nozipho Zikhali, the property officer for The Valley Trust, are currently upgrading and renovating the accommodation areas and need the support from the Highway community to help ensure each room is in top-notch condition to welcome its guests.
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The project includes 12-room guest accommodation that can sleep up to 30 people.
Each room varies in size and the organisation is in need of curtains, rugs, bedside lamps and tables, mattresses, duvets, pillows, throws, scatter cushions and pre-loved couches.
For those in the industry, they are in need of an electrician, plumber and upholsterer to volunteer their time.
“We need pool cues, a dart board, decor items and a new desk for the reception area would also be much appreciated,” said Whittle.
Its conference hall, which includes a canteen, is also in need of an upgrade. The items on the wishlist for this area of the NPO include a toaster, double chip fryer, four-tray convection oven, a large deep freezer, chaffing dishes, a microwave, gas stove, kitchen door, six large pots, 50 plates, tea cups and saucers, 50 side plates, teaspoons and dessert spoons as well as an upright fridge.
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The funding generated from these new projects will go towards its current work, Khulakahle Mntwana (isiZulu for ‘grow well child’) which promotes child health and development.
Through this project the organisation seeks to ensure that children in the Valley grow up with healthy bodies and minds and that their caregivers are relieved of mental distress.
The current goal for this project is to have its 11 home visitors reach 2 000 beneficiaries this year.
A demo veggie garden has been set up to train locals how to grow their own food.
“We would love to resurrect our projects that have been shut down due to the loss of funding. As an NGO, our goal is to become self-sustainable and and once again become a life-giving hub and continue serving the local community,” said Zikhali.
A few of the rooms have already received an upgrade and are available for bookings. To secure your spot, contact Nozipho on 031 716 6800 or email noziphoz@vtrust.org.za.
The rooms are available at R200 per person per night. Breakfast can be arranged when booking. To make a monetary donation, visit the organisation’s website at thevalleytrust.org.za.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
