IMBELEKO Foundation’s CEO, Sbusisiwe Myeni, is making great strides in her mission to continue with the education support programme that she provides for vulnerable and underprivileged children in the Valley of a 1 000 Hills.
Driven by her deep passion and commitment to a cause that was initiated by her late twin sister, Myeni has embarked on a 1 000km walk and cycle fundraising campaign to raise awareness and sponsorships for the foundation.
Speaking about the reasons for initiating a campaign of this nature, Myeni said, “On 6 April I embarked on a 1 000km walk and cycle fundraising campaign for the Imbeleko Foundation.
“Unfit and overweight – having recovered from serious injury to both my legs that resulted in me weighing 140kg – I challenged myself to walk and cycle 1 000km over a period of 12 weeks. I am already on 220km in four weeks and 15kg lighter. I have been to four cities, namely Durban, Johannesburg, New York City and Washington DC.
“My aim is to raise awareness of our holistic education support programmes and the impact our organisation is having on the very poor rural community of Qadi/Nyuswa, where many children are orphaned due to the impact of HIV/Aids. In doing so I hope to raise much-needed donations and sponsorship.”
As part of the campaign, Myeni hosted a 5km fun walk through the valleys and hills of the community on Saturday.
125 children who have been enrolled in the foundation’s High School After School Programme, their families, Imbeleko’s sponsors and programme partners participated in the race. The walk also marked the launch of the foundation’s Global Giving (online donation) campaign.
Myeni has been promoting the foundation and its vision on a larger scale and is set to address an international audience next month.
“In January I was selected as one of 10 women in Africa to participate in the Global Ambassadors Programme (GAP), a Vital Voices and Bank of America partnership designed to provide mentorship opportunities for emerging woman leaders.
“The programme took place in March and I was paired up with Kathleen Matthews (Global Executive at Marriott International) as a mentor.
“I also got an opportunity to address a Global Health public forum on the work that the Imbeleko Foundation does and how it has impacted our community.
“The programme has led to a lifelong friendship with Kathleen and a partnership with Vital Voices. I’ll be in New York and Washington DC for two weeks in June and will connect with various potential donors through my GAP network. I’ll also cycle the 2014 Air Force Association Cycling Classic together with Vital Voice staff as part of Imbeleko’s 1 000km campaign on 14 June.”
To find out more about the foundation, what your sponsorships can be used for, and the Global Giving campaign, visit www.imbeleko.org.
