WITH their main objective being up skilling women from poorer communities, local residents Lorraine Evans and Shelley Stievenart need your help to make sure their purpose is fulfilled.
After spending most of their time donating to various charities and the less fortunate, the pair say they realised that the best they could do for the less fortunate women is teaching them how to sustain themselves and their families.
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Where it all began
Two years ago Evans and Stievenart founded Magic Bean Foundation, which works with various other community organisations to provide trainers for workshops. An example is their work with uMlazi-based, Vimba Indlala Siyephambili (VIS), where they teach locals how to crochet using plastics.
“Giving someone food and other necessities is definitely making a difference and a good deed, however the good is short-lived because when they run out they are back to where they started. The Foundation helps these women learn skills which affords them a constant flow of income,” said Evans.
“Our main focus is mentoring and empowering communities to develop skills to improve and sustain their lives, all the while restoring the planet,” said Evans, Magic Bean’s chairperson.
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Where you come in
With contributing in the fight against plastic pollution being one of their aims, the organisation is calling on all residents to be part of their good work by donating plastics.
“We looking for plastic bags, specifically white (Spar/Pick n Pay) and blue (Checkers). We will however take any other ones because we never let any plastic go to waste,” chuckled Evans.
The products made by the ladies are sold by the Magic Bean Foundation at flea markets. All proceeds are then given back to the women who made them.
“What we aim to do is what we call creative job creation. So it’s all about finding new and different ways to teach people skills so that they can make money and find employment,” Stievenart added.
To donate plastics you can visit the Foundation’s Facebook page on Magic Bean Foundation or email info@magicbeanfoundation.com
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