Kudvumisa Foundation

Sewing Skills Trainer

Daran — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:58:52 +0000

Australian Volunteers International has advertised for a volunteer to help with the sewing project in Section 19! This is a great opportunity if the position is filled for these ladies. Please join us in praying for a suitable candidate.

Medical Outreach!

Daran — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:21:19 +0000

We had the privilege of hosting a team from Washington State (Hope Community Church in Olympia) this month.

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This team helped rebuild a number of dilapidated homes for members in the communities served by Kudvumisa Foundation and helped see over 570 men, women and children for general medical treatment. This was a tremendous blessing the these communities where most people are unable to afford access to ANY medical care.

Economic Empowerment

Daran — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:41:32 +0000

Here is a picture book highlighting two of our ongoing economic development projects:

Breaking the Bonds of Poverty

Daran — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:36:34 +0000

A grant from Changing Futures has been used to buy 6 sewing machines, train 6 ladies how to sew, as well as, to buy material and supplies. We had a teacher in the community who started training them and then he went missing. Then we heard from two ladies back in the States that said they wanted to come and help with the sewing project for 3 weeks. So in May, they came and taught these ladies how to sew beautifully! They have been sewing large sling bags, small sling bags with 2 zippers, aprons, and coin purses of different shapes and sizes.

On the 14^th of June 2012 Ncamsile, Maria, and Jane sold their first 50 bags to Timbali Crafts. Each of these ladies signed a contract with us for their sewing machines, which states that they will pay R50 per month toward the purchase of their machines. This money goes back into the account to purchase more machines, material and supplies, as well as upkeep of the machines. As we were leaving, they came and gave us R50 each for their first payment towards their machines.

On June 18^th and 19^th, teams from the US that were visiting Swaziland came through and bought many bags from the ladies. On the 21^st we paid the ladies for what they sold. We keep a percentage to buy additional material and supplies so that we can sustain the program. We paid each lady individually in front of the group, saying what and how much they sold. The other ladies applauded each one as it was her turn. One of the ladies got down on her knees to receive her payment! They were all so happy for each other! It was a very special moment! The next day one of the women asked if she could go to South Africa with the lady that helps us run the sewing project to buy more material with the money she had made. Another lady asked if they could buy formula for her baby with the money she had made.

None of these ladies have a bank account, or make any money on a regular basis. They live day to day trying to put food on the table for their families. It is very difficult for them to understand anything about a business or what it means to run one. Our hope is that if they can make a somewhat steady income with the sewing, that we can teach and empower them to take the business themselves one day and run it as a group or an association.

One of the ladies showed up last week, late in the week and apologized that she had been missing sewing classes all week. She was covered with bruises, which she said her husband had beaten her because he doesn’t want her being away from home every day sewing. My heart went out to this precious woman who is already handicapped, as she only has one good eye. I cried as I prayed with her for protection and peace. These women put up with untold misery from men just so they can have a roof over their heads. Most of the time, the men don’t have a steady job either. So we asked if she thought it would be better if we let her take the machine home and sew there so her husband wouldn’t beat her. One of the other women in her community said that she could stop and help her if she needed help and she could come to class once a week. This has turned out to be a good solution for her and her husband was OK with this.

Now there are two more teams from the US, coming before the end of the month to buy items from the ladies. Also, there is a lady who has said she would buy R2400 worth of bags at the end of the month to send back with someone to sell at their church. Lastly, we have been invited to put our items at a booth at the Swazi Trade Fair at the end of August. So, the ladies have been sewing like crazy to stock up items for all of these potential sales. They are very excited and there is lots of momentum right now! We are very pleased with their progress in such a short time!

Thanks so much to Changing Futures organization!

Protecting the Next Generation

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:12:11 +0000

This shows Mary dos Santos (one of our Swazi staff) (far left) doing PMTCT (Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission) counseling in the Maphiveni community for two women who are HIV+ and breast feeding their HIV – babies. The rest of the children are theirs as well. FYI, the current protocol here is to have the mothers breast feed exclusively for the first 6 months, than switch to regular food. Children were dying of starvation when they first taught the HIV+ mothers to not breast feed at all. So if they follow the regime of exclusive breast feeding, the babies can still not contract HIV from the breast milk. It is when they combine breast feeding with regular food during the first 6 months that there are complications and the possibility of contracting the disease.

One-on-One Counseling

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:07:33 +0000

Mary dos Santos (CHIPS staff) providing “adherence” counseling in the community. This CHIPS client is on ARV’s. When a client returns for refills of their ARV’s, they must bring any remaining drug back to the clinic. The clinic staff counts the remaining drug and calculates how many doses the client has missed. If the client mis-takes the dug over a period of three refills, they have to restart the entire counseling process. CHIPS staff try to work with our “adherent problematic” clients by visiting them at their homestead and counting pills during the course of taking the ARV’s before the actual refill date. The goal is to increase the adherence and reinforce the importance of taking the drugs faithfully.

News from Kudvumisa Foundation (Swaziland)

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:02:30 +0000

The registration of our non-profit in Swaziland was completed several weeks ago. We are beginning the process of setting up Kudvumisa Foundation USA. A volunteer board has been formed and the submittal to the IRS for 501c3 status should happen before year end. All of this is critical for the successful long term operation and sustainability of the HIV clinic and community education center in Maphiveni.