Foundation appeals for support

The foundation, located in Bryanston but operating in Mpumalanga, runs skills development projects in rural areas and assists in providing women with a source of income.

Some of projects initiated by the foundation include the Shukushukuma Beadwork Project, spearheaded by Christine Fischer, and the Tinyiko Sewing Project, headed up by Janine Purdy.

Fischer explained the beadwork project in detail and the purpose of initiating it in the area.

“The project began shortly after the foundation’s clinic closed down, and the aim was to provide local woman with employment and a chance to showcase their talent and generate income for themselves,” she said.

Fischer added that initially, the project made Aids ribbons which were distributed, but as it grew, different types of ribbons were made and distributed to schools, companies and businesses. This resulted in the project becoming self-sustaining and able to employ women in the area, Fischer explained.

“The main reason behind establishing initiatives of this sort in Mpumalanga was due to the severe neglect experienced in areas such as Grootvlei and Balfour at the height of the Aids pandemic in the early 2000s,” she said.

The Sewing project, in contrast, began much later but also focused on providing local women with skills and a form of employment.

Purdy explained that the project was launched in 2009, and while it is slowly gaining traction, it still needs as much funding as possible.

“The project employs seven permanent workers but women from the community come in from time to time to sew items, which are then sold to companies,” she said.

Purdy appealed to community members and companies to assist the foundation by donating, supporting the projects and even volunteering.

She explained that work produced by the women was available at the foundation’s head office in Bryanston and online.

Details: www.topsy.org.za