Durban — In celebration of non-profit organisations, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the Hollywood Foundation and We Are Durban hosted the Change in Action NPO Fair.
The fair ‒ which started on Friday and concluded on Monday ‒ provided a platform for non-profit organisations (NPO) in Durban to strengthen their capacity and reach out to the public, bringing community needs and resources together.
Gateway Theatre of Shopping invited 20 NPOs to exhibit their organisations and inform patrons about their work.
Gateway marketing manager, Ayesha Sewbaran said that valuable work is being done around Durban and many organisations appeal to them for assistance.
Sewbaran said, “For the second year, we are partnering with ‘We are Durban’ and the Hollywood Foundation to help NPOs ensure that their impact is felt far and wide.
Sewbaran said the campaign started earlier this year ‒ May ‒ when 181 NPOs applied to participate. Sewbaran said with the help of We Are Durban, an NPO founded in 2010 that focused on empowering social dignity organisations in eThekwini to excel in their mandate, and the Hollywood Foundation, they narrowed down to 20 NPOs.
We Are Durban managing director Linda Morrison said that eThekwini has over 3500 registered NPOs.
“There is a lack of awareness that is preventing people from accessing the services these organisations provide, and also preventing volunteers from connecting with causes they’re passionate about,” Morrison said.
Hollywood Foundation CSI manager, Mpho Dintwa said that by enhancing the skills of non-profit organisations, one helps them attract more funding and become more resilient in facing challenges. With these added skills they now have they can market themselves more professionally.
The 20 selected non-profit organisations were:
- Buyisithemba: Buyisithemba Community Development aims to bring hope by advocating for the marginalised in the community of KwaMashu through various programmes such as women empowerment through skills development, school uniforms for orphans and vulnerable children, dispensing of medication to HIV-positive and chronic patients around KwaMashu, and food security through soup kitchens and farming projects.
- Dear Youth SA: Dear Youth SA empowers youth in Durban through entrepreneurship, academic excellence, and leadership development by offering skills training, business development support, and access to business and workforce linkages.
- Dream Big Stay Humble: Dream Big Stay Humble empowers young minds through innovative programmes in coding, STEM, and financial literacy, unlocking their potential to shape their professional dreams, together bridging the gap between potential and opportunity, and fostering a brighter future for all.
- Durban and Coastal Mental Health: Durban and Coastal Mental Health is proud of servicing people with mental disabilities and their families from urban and deep rural areas for the last 84 years through nurturing, rehabilitating and reintegrating within the larger Durban areas. The mission is to actively work within the community to achieve the highest possible level of mental health.
- iThemba Lethu: iThemba Lethu believes in the power of transformation. God loved first and gave Himself so that we have a destiny. They believe that every day we have the privilege to follow that example.
- LHC Foundation Trust ta iCare: iCare transforms the lives of street children giving them hope and a future. This is done through a holistic cycle including rehab, safe-housing, education and skills training.
- Lungisani Indlela: Lungisani Indlela aims to bring hope, healing, and support to the community of Amaoti and beyond by reaching out, changing lives, and renewing hope through learner support, transitional safe home, community feeding, holiday clubs, aftercare and community clothing bank. You can be part of the solution to make a difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable people by sponsoring their programmes, volunteering your time, and donating clothes or other resources.
- Magic Future Stars Academy: Magic Future Stars in KwaMashu empowers youth through sports, encouraging education and character development. They nurture future leaders, promoting health, wellness, and skills development in their community, helping boys and girls reach their full potential.
- Mission Thando South Africa: Mission Thando South Africa is a registered NPO which is dedicated to empowering hope and transforming lives by providing essential resources and opportunities to orphans, vulnerable children, widows, and the elderly, paving the way for a brighter future.
- Queen Shezi Foundation: Queen Shezi Foundation NPC helps individuals pursue an elevated purpose. This is done by liberating their minds through mental health programmes and helping them unleash their full potential.
- Sikhona Organisation of the Hopeless: Sikhona Organisation of the Hopeless is a safe space for communities to get healing, be empowered and be given hope for a future with united community members who take a stand against GBVF.
- Sinethemba Crèche: Their focus is to provide an encouraging educational experience that promotes social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Committed to the families they serve, they strive to give parents complete peace of mind while being seen as a shining example of what a quality childcare centre should be.
- Siphilisiwe Organization: Siphilisiwe Organization specialises in social integrated programmes that advocate for social change. Siphilisiwe conducts charity to disadvantaged kids with school uniforms, women empowerment through awareness campaigns and skills development.
- Siyasindisa Academy: Siyasindisa Academy is an NPO dedicated to uplifting the community through the provision of water safety awareness education, lifesaving skills, and water sports.
- Sizamakonke Crèche and Pre School: Sizamakonke Creche and Preschool is a solid foundation on early childhood, while accommodating children living with disability, vulnerable and poor children to obtain solid foundation education and exercise equal children’s rights and improve their skills and possibly unleash their fullest potential.
- The Baby Home (project of The Peace Agency): The Baby Home Durban North is a safe haven for orphaned and abandoned babies, providing love and care as they await their forever families through adoption.
- The Durban Hospice for Women - Kerr House: At Kerr House, they help abused women transform from being victims to survivors of gender-based violence. By supporting Kerr House you will be joining the fight against the epidemic of GBV.
- The Jes Foord Foundation: The Jes Foord Foundation is a beacon of hope for victims of sexual assault. They believe in empowering and educating the youth to help reduce the number of GBV incidents and advocate for survivors of sexual assault to see a better tomorrow for South Africa.
- Training and Resources in Early Education: Training and Resources in Early Education (TREE-ECD), specialises in enabling the ECD workforce and uplifting underserved communities across South Africa. For 40 years, they have been delivering transformative, high-quality training, essential resources, and holistic support, ensuring every young child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive and unlock their fullest potential.
- Umduduzi Hospice care for children: Umduduzi Hospice care for children brings compassion, dignity, relevant care and relief from discomfort and pain to children diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness within KwaZulu-Natal through direct patient care and mentorship.
The 20 organisations work in diverse areas, from children’s education, mental health, youth programmes, water safety, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics skills development, palliative care and more.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News