King’s Community Projects
King’s Community Projects (an outreach programme of King’s Community Church) is partnering with E3 to alleviate poverty and address sexual and gender-based violence in Sweetwaters and Swayimane in KwaZulu-Natal province. As well as those two issues, there are high levels of teenage pregnancy, HIV, crime and a lack of access to education. Most people live in mud houses without proper sanitation and other utilities. KCP also runs a street ministry in response to the growing number of people living on the streets of Pietermaritzburg.
E3’s partnership includes:
Supporting 50 orphaned and vulnerable children at Nobanda Primary School through the Back to School programme. Many are cared for by grandmothers who struggle to feed, clothe and house the numerous grandchildren in their care. Life Skills work includes teaching on the effects of substance abuse, which is a growing issue and gender-based violence. E3 is also helping set up a vegetable garden to develop children’s skills, provide fresh food for school meals and sell to raise funds for the school.
Giving 72 children from the most vulnerable households a nutritious meal once a week at Christian Life School.
Distributing sanitary pads to girls who would normally have to miss school during that time of the month.
Supplying meals, spiritual support and information sharing on other support services available and referrals to people living on the streets of Pietermaritzburg.
Gender-based violence workshops for Sunday school children, youth, couples, pastors and other community people. This creates awareness, challenges patriarchal behaviour and considers how to support survivors and those affected.
An E3 sustainability loan enabled KCP to set up a loan scheme for individuals to help them expand their small businesses or meet emergency needs at 10% interest. One beneficiary used his loan to contribute to a borehole, so his family now has access to fresh water. Another was able to pay for her son to go abroad for a professional sport opportunity and now he has been hired in the UK! Others used the loan for education fees.
Funded a mobile kitchen to help with preparation of school meals and also to hire out for events to generate an income to help support the project.
Grant from E3: £10,000
Phumzile Ndlovu leads the project.
What the street ministry means to those it serves…
“We are really grateful for the nice food you bring us, praying for us and always visiting us. Many people don’t care about us, thank you so much for everything.” Mhlonishwa
“Every day we wake up to stand here and there are no jobs, but when you come and pray with us, it’s like our hope is able to rise. May God bless you!” Skhumbuzo
“It feels really good to be able to be trusted and given an opportunity to prove that you are not like others who steal from people.” Sabelo
“I am 12 years old. I love aeroplanes and want to be a pilot. I am very curious about how aeroplanes work and enjoy watching them flying overhead. I live with my mum’s sister. She motivates me and supports my dreams. She always encourages me to study hard. I have been receiving Back to School support for five years and it has been great. I no longer attend school with torn school shoes. I enjoy being part of the school soccer team and playing with my school mates. It refreshes me and exercises my body.”
Bongiwe Phakathi, Chairperson of School Learner Support at Nobanda School explains the difference Back to School is making…
“We appreciate the support you are giving to our learners. Many children are orphaned and are being raised by grandparents or guardians, and some are raised by unemployed parents. They have various levels of vulnerability, but because of your support, they do not look like orphaned and vulnerable children. At school, they participate well and excel academically. Thank you for making such an enormous difference in their lives.”
