Mzingazi community project gains traction
The organisation has grown thanks to the generosity of local and international sponsors and donors
A DREAM to make a difference in the lives of young children and youth of Mzingazi has become a reality for community worker and founder of Lungelo Youth Development (LYD), Mary Mlambo.
Three years ago Mlambo relocated to Richards Bay, leaving behind her luxurious lifestyle in Johannesburg, family and a senior management position at a corporate company.
Her aim, to work with this community which has been plagued by challenges such as school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, lack of literacy, poverty and poor living conditions.
Starting off in a makeshift wooden structure, Mlambo opened a non-fee daycare facility for babies and toddlers whose mothers were either employed as domestic workers or teenagers who had returned to school and could not afford to pay fees.
Today, the organisation has grown thanks to the generosity of local and international sponsors and donors.
‘In August we welcomed our international volunteer, Mirjeta Shald from Switzerland, who is living with a host family in Mzingazi.
‘Every year we have an international volunteer who spends a year with us, works at the centre and is involved in all our projects.
‘We have grown significantly. From using the backyard of a community member, we now have our own property with permanent buildings as well as two steel frame structures.
‘Our main building houses the daycare centre while the other structures are used as a kitchen for preparation of meals for the children, as well as the sewing community empowerment project.
‘We also have our own vegetable garden and bead work income-generating project.
‘Construction of a fully-fledged kitchen building is underway and we are in need of donations to complete it.
‘Our aim is to have cooking and baking classes and upskill the youth and unemployed community members.
‘Future plans include a youth block and knowledge centre,’ said Mlambo.
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