1000 Hills Trust opens doors for young people
The aim of Vuleka Centre is to encourage young people to shift from being victims and be survivors.
NESTLED in the beautiful Valley of 1000 Hills sits the Vuleka Centre, a Trust which offers empowerment and leadership skills to the youth.
The Trust in Botha’s Hill was officially formed in 1974 (originally called Inchanga Christian Centre and renamed The Vuleka Trust in 1989) by the Methodist and Anglican Churches to address the need for work development and a reasonable camp and conference venue for the churches in KwaZulu-Natal.
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The Roman Catholic Church of Southern Africa joined the partnership in 1979.
“Originally a Bed & Breakfast, the centre was where people of different races and cultures could gather. Our aim is to encourage young people to shift from being victims and be survivors,” said outgoing director, Karen Read.
The Trust offers a four week programme which includes a one week stay at the centre.
Lindo Mbatha who heads up the youth programme said they work with people from various communities.
“Youth who come out of school have a very small chance of getting into higher education and training facilities and thus are more at risk of not finding employment. Even those who make it to the tertiary institution struggle to get jobs. Our main aim is to instill self esteem and for people to understand themselves and be able to work and contribute in a group.”
Mbatha said through their Basic Human Relations programme, they have witnessed people coming out of their shells, some of them sharing and recovering from issues which they have been battling with for years.
The Trust takes 30 people at a time and are referred by various stakeholders, such as churches, NGOs, traditional authorities and councillors offices.
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He added that there are many people who have lost confidence and have given up,
“We always inspire people to be active in their communities, there are no jobs but they can still volunteer and not sit around, at least they will gain experience which they can include in their CVs,” he said.
The incoming director of the trust, Mdu Dlamini said the centre has been hit hard by the pandemic, “Our dream is to enable the place to be self sustainable as we have once done. We have a conference centre and accommodation which people can hire. This is a quite beautiful place. We are also working on other plans to grow this place and continue to be a pillar for many communities,” he said.
Learn about butterflies
Vuleka Centre hosts various activities to raise funds for the centre and on Tuesday, 30 March, the public is invited to come learn about butterflies.
“People will have a chance to be taught by experts the basics about identifying and appreciating butterflies,” said Read.
The event will be hosted at the centre which is in 142 Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill at 9am. For booking email info@vuleka.org.za or contact 031 777 1466.
Entry fee is a R100 donation, tea and scones will be provided.
To be part or support Vuleka Centre programme, contact Dlamini on 083 468 1691 or Mbatha on 073 561 4949 or Read on 083 783 1515.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
