Sinethemba Offers Economic Lifeline and Education to Vulnerable Children

Sinethemba (We Are Hopeful) Support Group was established three years ago by 12 women from Pholile village in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, to deal with HIV- and AIDS-related issues in their community. With the help of World Vision, the unemployed women who used to sit idly after finishing their house chores are now beacons of hope in their community.


Their area is one of many that have been severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with close to 3,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in their municipality alone. 


Through profits earned from sewing, crafting, candle making and poultry, the group provides both economic and emotional support to the needy children.


“There are many children in this area who are on their own, thus we decided to start this support group. They come to us with different needs. We also help them to apply for birth certificates, social grants and school fees,” said Liziwe Nongalo, the group leader. 
Assistance boosts group’s ability

Nongalo said the group would not have managed to support the children without assistance from World Vision. 
World Vision donated sewing machines and a candle-making machine to the group.

Currently, the organisation is fencing the group’s vegetable garden. 
Nongalo said the vegetables come in handy when the women visit HIV and AIDS patients, as they also serve as caregivers.


Also, World Vision facilitated the women’s training on peer counseling and caregiving, thus empowering them to provide information to the community and to raise awareness about TB and HIV and AIDS. 
“Before World Vision came into the picture, we were struggling a lot. We had to contribute our own money to raise the capital and we also secured donations from local shops and some community members,” she said.

The group also received some support from the Department of Social Development.
However, the group is still low on funds. “For now we are not paying ourselves, but hope to do so in future, when our financial status improves,” Nongalo said.


Better quality of life for children

World Vision’s support to such groups enables them to improve the quality of life of orphans and vulnerable children across the country.


“Over the past seven years of operation in this area, through such self-sustaining projects, we have restored hope to children whose lives have been shattered by HIV and AIDS, poverty and unemployment,” said James Mboto, World Vision’s project manager in the area.


World Vision is currently assisting the Nongalo’s group in its process to gain registration as a non-profit organisation. The group’s future plans include opening a drop-in centre, which will serve hot meals to the area’s children.