Hlomelikusasa

Hlomelikusasa (meaning “Skills for the future” in Xhosa) is a Community-based Organization located in the formerly designated Transkei homeland, which has perpetuated endemic poverty and unemployment; poor education and healthcare with a high rate of HIV/AIDS.  Hlomelikusasa’s reach covers a huge rural area surrounding Mount Frere, in the Eastern Cape. The rugged, remote hills of this area and the physical isolation of its scattered villages present a unique challenge.

When ASAP started working with Hlomelikusasa, Boniswa the project manager, was leading a team of 35 volunteers doing home-based care  and working out of a disused churchyard shack.  With their first grant they chose to register 140 orphans in school. They are now running a network of drop-in centres with a focus on sustainable agriculture and nutrition for orphans and healthcare for people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.  Their membership of rural women comprises over 165 women with 15 community healthcare workers who have been trained and supplied with kits to aid 164 patients; 479 children in drop-in centres providing school, uniforms, nutrition and basic needs.; 94 gardens with orchards and water tanks have been implemented with permaculture training for food security.

Hlomelikusasa has an executive board, comprised of local businessmen and community leaders; a skilled staff proficient in grant writing, accounting, and management made up of a Project Manager, Office administrator and Field workers; and 18 youth with training to enrich the lives of their peers through creative and cross-cultural programmes.

In their own words:

“Hlomelikusasa strives to ensure the involvement the community in HIV/AIDS, TB and general health education and supports Home-Based Carers in community development. The aim of this project is to empower people with skills so they can establish self-help projects and help children, more especially orphans, at home in their community, to fight against disease, poverty and homelessness.”