Smarties week in Roodepoort
Clover's Mama Afrika changing the world one step at a time.
The annual Clover Mama Afrika Smarties Week was in Roodepoort this week (31st January to Friday, 5th February).
The workshop, which was held at the Acorn and Summit House in Florida, was where women who want to empower themselves were taught new skills and sharpened their existing skills.
The Clover Mama Afrika project, started as a humble project 12 years ago and has since developed into Clover’s flagship CSI programme.
The project has to date appointed 41 Mamas throughout South Africa.
These remarkable women collectively care for over 15 500 children and 2 500 elderly people, many of which are abused, orphaned, homeless and vulnerable.
The Smarties Week is a hands-on training initiative that sees the Clover Mama Afrika mamas travel from all corners of the country, to attend value-added workshops that complement their existing self-help projects.
Mama’s will learn new skills and sharpen their existing skills in sewing, baking and hospitality.
The women were also taught business skills by Sarah-Jane Brink of Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO) which is focus on poverty alleviation and runs various programmes.
Professor Elain Vlok, manager: corporate services and Clover Mama Afrika has been an integral part of the project since its inception.
“This year we wanted to have the workshop close to our head offices so the women can learn more about Clover and it’s business. I am very proud and humbled to see how much each of these women have grown from timid to being confident as the project has progressed. However, there is still much to be done in order to help these women help their communities,” she said.
Emily Duda who runs a bakery at the Garden World Centre in Muldersdrift also participated in the workshop and was ecstatic as she gained more skills during the week.
Clover Mama Africa celebrates in style
“This week we have learned so much. For example, with the painting, flower arrangements and mosaic art we have learned, we can go back to our regions and sell those products. As I have a bakery, we have also been taught more about how to perfect our baking which means a better product for my customers. These skills I will pass on to those in my community and they can also help themselves. Brink has taught us ways to make our businesses relevant to today’s market,” she said.
Shirley Merime from Edenvale has been involved with project for 10 years and she runs the Ebeneezer Hena Home. Here the 62-year-old cares for the elderly, orphaned and abandoned children. She clothes, feeds and educates them.
“This project has changed not only my life but the lives of so many other people. Just this week I have learned how to bake, sew, do mosaic art, painting, needlework and flower arrangements. These skills will help me make a difference and help me become a better person as I pass on these skills to others. By doing this, we will break the barrier of poverty because these skills will help others become self sustainable,” she said.
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