Kotula, a community upliftment programme in Jabavu, which is a part of Evolve’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative makes a huge difference in the lives of residents in Diakonia Aids Ministry, an NGO organisation in Jabavu and other institutions within the Soweto area.
The programme compromises of a series of projects that support and empower orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC’s) women and the elderly residents in the community of Central Western Jabavu , infected and affected by HIV, domestic violence and poverty.
Kotula’s services include a feeding programme, relief programme, dance programme, educational programme and empowering women and children’s lives offering them a brighter future by helping with their basic daily needs.
Evolve has 11 farms in Soweto that are currently serving over 4000 meals weekly.
Volunteers maintain the gardens and are paid by Evolve.
Evolve also works with Katz School of Dance in Hurlingham, Johannesburg to support 30 children from Soweto with dance bursaries and have been involved with various out-reach programmes.
‘’ Diakonia is an NGO and mainly depends on external funding so by establishing the gardens/farms it worked out as a financial relieve for Diakonia and through Kotula we are able to create jobs.’’ said Mpho Mugivhi, senior manager CSR, Evolve South Africa.
‘’Kotula does not just support Diakonia it also supports schools were most of our gardens are situated, Soweto Old Age Home and Pensioners Centre in Khwezi, to mention just a few.’’ she added.
Evolve still has big plans for their Kotula project. They are planning to launch an educational programme in 2017 with the University of Johannesburg that will support Grade R learners from Soweto, focusing on Math and Science.
For more information about Evolve and Kotula contact Mpho Mugivhi on 011 244 9742 or e-mail at mpho@evolve.za.com
