The gift of giving

It takes an individual with a certain kind of dedication, character and finesse to leave home halfway across the world to live with a family in a little community outside Melmoth.

For Niki Lessig, a 26-year-old American Peace Corps volunteer, this is now her ode.

Lessig has been placed at Justice and Women (JAW), a non-profit organisation based in Melmoth and lives with the humble Ndlovu family.

Since her stay in March this year, Lessig now goes by the names Niki Ndlovu or maNdlovu. She will serve this community through JAW until March next year by assisting with capacity building and staff development.

‘maNdlovu’ works with seven Zulu co-workers, aids in grant collection and proposal writing, workshop designs and reporting.

‘JAW is a gender and justice organisation which started in Pietermaritzburg to provide paralegal services to vulnerable community members. Over time, JAW’s work expanded to Melmoth with a more holistic approach to helping community members access their rights. Today, JAW runs programmes ranging from HIV support to sexual health and reproductive health education,’ says Lessig.

She emphasises that the mission of JAW is to ’empower women, men, youth and communities to challenge and transform inequitable practices and power relations within private and public spheres, which give rise to gender inequality, gender based violence, and HIV/AIDS’.

JAW is currently embarking on a new programme, ‘Who owns my body’ (WOMB), which will focus on changing the perception that women living in rural areas around Mthonjaneni, have about their bodies – physically, psychologically and spiritually.

This will help them make informed decisions and embrace their body’s integrity.

This passionate 26-year-old explained that what she would’ve been doing two years ago in America in her free time has drastically changed to what she currently does.

Now she enjoys watching Generations with her host family, washing clothes with ‘my Gogo’ and swimming in the river with local children. She relishes the long runs through the dusty village roads which usually ends up with her having a cup of tea with neighbours.

JAW has given Lessig a unique opportunity to live and work in a rich culture which is so different from hers. In her line of work there is so much tragedy, but also much joy and inspiration, giving her immense appreciation for life each day.

She believes ‘the greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of helping others, working for something greater than yourself.’

For more information on how one can help, contact JAW on 035 4503295.