#VryheidWomanHeroes: Faith leads to AbaQulusi’s Wellness Centre being opened

Name: Faith Khabo Mdlalose- Nene

Age: 45 years

Occupation: Director of Abaqulusi Wellness Centre

How I came to be in this career

I’m an ex-educator with an Honours degree in education.

I discovered that the students I was teaching at school were experiencing a lot of social ills due to the environment they were living in e.g drug abuse, diseases like HIV/ AIDS, unemployment after finishing school, rape and poverty.

As a result, after doing thorough research I decided to establish a non profit organisation that was going to deal directly with these social ills.

It was successfully registered, then I resigned from the education department so as to serve the community full time thus the Abaqulusi Wellness Centre was established.

What difference have I made in the community

Running an NPO became my daily life whereby I render the following services to the community:

Counselling, receiving and referal agent, networking with international countries so as to outsource funding for different projects e.g income generating projects so as to eradicate poverty and unemployment. We sent some of Abaqulusi’s youth to China so that they could receive agricultural training. Successfully referred young people to some tertiary institutions to further their education. Linking youth with relevant stake holders for economic purposes. Regularly conduct career guidance programs for matriculants. Successfully conducted community awareness campaigns on HIV/ AIDS, drug addiction, women and girls abuse. Established income generating projects in different places under AbaQulusi Municipality i. e. food gardening projects, sewing projects etc. Donated sewing machines to some co-ops for women around Vryheid. Regularly donated food parcels and school shoes to surrounding schools in different wards. Formed a group of women called “Women Of Significance” to further more community services so as to radically reduce some of these social ills.

What defines a woman of significance

A woman of significance is one that reaches out and assists wherever she can in her community. She empowers and inspires all those around.

Tell us something quirky about you:

I have taught English in Venezuela. Have a certificate in Mariculture Technology obtained in China-Fujian Institute of Oceanography and a certificate in Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) obtained in London.

What changes would you like to see in Vryheid and South Africa?

I would like to see an increased level of literacy in Vryheid, especially among youth and women for economic purposes. Increased employment among the youth and women. Creation of sustainable jobs for people in Vryheid. A total eradication of poverty in Vryheid. Self- reliant and well capacitated women in our town reduced HIV/ AIDS disease in South Africa. Less crime in South Africa. Strengthened relations between South Africa and international countries for economic opportunities

What role are you playing in making it happen?

I participate fully in most of the programs that relate to community empowerment to make sure it brings about change in people’s lives. I ensure that there is involvement of different relevant stake holders including government departments and private sectors to each an every program for it to be successful.

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