Location
Tugela Ferry, Msinga Sub-District, Umzinyathi District, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Community Description
The geographical region served by Sinozwelo Resource Centre is one of the poorest regions of all of South Africa The population of the region lives in deep, remote rural areas long distances from villages and medical services.
The estimated rate of HIV/AIDS infection is 35-40% with an average age of 24 years and a life expectancy of 43 years. The population is 99.9% black and approximately 99% live in traditional areas as opposed to formal towns.
Only 13% of the households have electricity, less than 10% having adequate sanitation or access to potable water and 98% have to travel on foot to the nearest health center, which is an average of 4.4 kilometers away.
In Msinga municipality, there is a growing number of destitute children due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in this region with over 500 orphans and vulnerable children around Tugela Ferry. As parents die from HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, the consequence is a growing number of child-headed households which struggle to make ends meet often with no basic needs such as food, clothing, or income.
Sinozwelo Resource Centre was founded in 2001 to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children and to provide resources to families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. Sinozwelo’s facilities in Tugela Ferry, built in 2002, consists of a DayCare and Resource/Office center.
Since its origin, Sinozwelo Resource Centre has been funded through contracts with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development. These contracts have provided funding for food, staff stipends, and minimal operational expenses such as phone and electricity costs.
Over the past 10 years, there has been no money for the maintenance of the facilities and in particular, plumbing. Consequently, three out of four toilets used by over 65 children attending the DayCare and over 95 orphans and vulnerable children who come to Sinozwelo each day for daily meals are non-functional due to plumbing leaks and needed repairs. Children often use the grounds around the toilets due to the lack of functioning toilets.
In addition, the facility’s kitchen sink serving the facility food preparation and washing of dishware is in disrepair and leaking.
Project Description
This project is to restore the use of the three non-functioning toilets and to repair the sink used for the preparation of over 150 meals each day.
On a competitive bid basis, a plumber will be engaged to perform the work as soon as funding is available.
Parts needed for the repair will be purchased. Discounts on plumbing parts will be solicited from local vendors.
Volunteer help will come from the community to repair the cabinetry around the facility’s kitchen sink after the repairs of the sink are made.
Project Impact
This project will benefit 160 children, including 65 children attending the DayCare daily and 95 orphans and vulnerable children receiving daily meals.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Charles Possin
Comments
This is an essential project that provides the minimal repairs needed for the health and well-being of those being served by the center.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Charles Possin of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund projects by other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.