LamaMpumuza iThemba Community Centre

In 2007 the Inkosi (Headman) gave iThemba a large piece of land in the Sweetwaters community. He had seen the work of iThemba and wanted to see us have a permanent base for iThemba to continue and expand our work. Below is the sod turning ceremony and pictures of the site – Craig Duvel (Trustee) and Inkosi Zondi (Headman):

Sod turning

The centre's focus will be to help us achieve our stated goals:
Uplift the moral and educational realities in Sweetwaters so that a new generation can step into adulthood with upstanding convictions (Christ Centered) and a decent Education.

Views from the Land:

Views from the land Views from the land

The centre will be used to run a number or our present programmes more effectively:

  1. Teachers will not have to travel out of the community for training, and privileged schools in and around Pietermaritzburg will be able to use the centre for their volunteer workshops and training.
  2. The ministry training workshops will take place at the centre.
  3. Jabulani Kids Club will have a permanent base – with the potential to start a second club at the centre.
  4. Asidlale workshops will be run at the centre.
  5. Counselling, bible studies, the running club will all have the ability to take place at a permanent base.

 
More importantly the centre will have a number of new and essential functions:

  1. A new preschool – as this area does not have a preschool, and the community has requested that we assist in this regard.
  2. This new preschool will also preform the task of onsite training centre for teachers and volunteers from the community.
  3. A resource centre for teachers.
  4. A resource centre for those involved in ministry.

The first drawings of the centre (see banner above for 3D view):

Drawings

We will be using a building technology that is both “green” and more cost effective, called Rammed Earth. This will mean using large amounts of the local soil to build with. We also intend on teaching community member how to build with this technology. Below are some pics of buildings constructed with Rammed Earth:

Buildings Buildings

The community is supportive of the project and many community members have offered their assistance when needed.

We need a total of  R3,200,000/$400 000/£260 000 for the complete construction of the centre.

However, our first goal is a first-phase development which includes fencing the property, one classroom, one toilet and only the bare essential finishes. This first phase will cost a bare minimum of R130 000/$15900/£10900.

If you believe you can help fundraise for this project or want to know more – please contact Stu at stuw@ithembaprojects.org.za

If you would like to Donate towards the project – please click here.

 


Thermometer