In a world where poverty and hardship are all too common, Sizwesethu Verena Foundation is born from the personal experiences of its founder, Smangela Ndelema.
Her journey, marked by struggles and setbacks, has driven her to create a safe haven for vulnerable children in the community.
Smangela’s own childhood was marked by moments of hunger and hardship, but it was the kindness and support of compassionate teachers that instilled in her a sense of hope and determination to overcome adversity.
This experience has shaped her vision for the Sizwesethu Verena Foundation, which aims to empower children facing similar challenges.
Smangela established the foundation in 2018 with like-minded individuals who shared her vision and passion to make a difference.
Their goal is to create a nurturing environment where children can grow, learn, and break free from the cycle of poverty. The foundation’s ethos is set to be simple yet powerful – paying forward the kindness received by providing support and opportunities to those who need it most.
Despite facing initial challenges, including working from a makeshift shack, the foundation has made significant progress. They have achieved several milestones, including successful Christmas clothes and food drives, provision of school shoes to 10 children, and expansion of their operational days. However, they are now facing a setback due to heavy rain that destroyed their shelter and incomplete building in February.
To continue their mission, the foundation is seeking support to rebuild their centre and expand their services.
Their project proposal outlines three key objectives: rebuilding their centre, expanding their facilities to accommodate all 49 children under their care, and establishing sustainable programs such as breakfast sessions for children without access to morning meals.
Their programs include after-school meals, educational support, and community outreach.
They provide nutritious meals to orphaned and vulnerable children, educational assistance, sanitary towels, and donated school and casual clothes. They also distribute food parcels to vulnerable families in need when resources allow.
They believe that their story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. As Smangela so eloquently puts it, “I believe in the transformative power of education and community support. I want to pay forward the kindness I received by providing a nurturing environment where children can grow and thrive,” Smangele concluded
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