Vision
Our vision is to protect and conserve expansive wildlife corridors in order to provide sustainable environments for wildlife and community to coexist in a harmonious and sustainable manner.
Mission
Through conscious and responsible eco-tourism, we support surrounding rural communities; conserve natural habitats and protect her wildlife. Through feasible initiatives and enriching outreach projects, we endeavour to educate and inspire these communities on the value and critical importance of land and wildlife conservation so that they may become custodians of the land and benefit from their efforts. All tourism business profits are re-invested back into the business model. All funds received from donors are directed towards identified outreach impact pillars that drive change anchored solidly on the principles of development, wellbeing and conservation.
About us
Lalibela Community Outreach owns and manages a recreation centre within the Seven Fountains’ community village. The centre serves as a safe and vibrant haven for the people of the community who mostly come from rural, impoverished homes. We undertake to support members of the community through various initiatives and small projects made possible through generous donations.
Foundation Impact Pillars
Education and Youth Development through Sport
Education is at the forefront of our initiatives. Whilst we recognise the immediate plea for food and shelter, illiteracy remains at the core of the unemployment crisis.
The children of Seven Fountains’ Community attend a local school from Grade R to Grade 7. The high school children attend school in Grahamstown, 37 kilometres from Lalibela, as there are no high schools in the area. The Lalibela recreation centre assists learners with their homework and school projects. Informal reading groups have been initiated through our small, growing library. The older children teach the younger children how to play chess and at times, students from Rhodes University come in to assist. We supply basic stationery packs to learners when required. We also support the Early Learning Centre within the village. This facility tends to children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years daily from 8am-4pm.
Exercise and movement is essential to one’s wellbeing and health. Soccer, cricket, netball, karate and a gumboot troupe keep the children healthy and busy. As part of our continued aid, the Foundation assists with transport to and from matches and events, equipment, uniforms and facilities to practise.
Nutrition
- Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Rhodes University pioneers regular workshops in the community on small scale and backyard gardening. Produce grown is sold at a monthly market in Grahamstown. The Foundation assists these budding farmers with seeds and seedlings to grow produce but also the skillset to manage their own small businesses successfully by upskilling them with essential business acumen.
- Soup Kitchens and Food Parcels
Daily soup kitchens are funded by the Foundation. This offering ensures that all members of the community receive at least one nutritious meal per day. We supply the local primary school with breakfast porridge ingredients on a daily basis. The children also receive a meal from the recreation centre in the afternoons. There has been a marked improvement in school attendance and academic performance because we care.
During the school holidays, the Foundation provides the children with up to three meals per day.
Healthcare
Most of the healthcare facilities our community members have access to, are poorly resourced and under staffed. It is our intention to support our community with better healthcare options, especially should the need arise for speciality care for which they have little to no means.
Ongoing Community Projects
Dogs, cats, donkeys and cows are looked after with the assistance of Ikhala Veterinary Services. With their support, we keep as many animals as possible sterilised, dewormed and tick and flea free. Kennels are gifted to individuals who look after their pets. These kennels are made from old pallets and decking planks once used in the lodges and no longer in use due to refurbishments. The Foundation provides food once a week for dogs and cats.
FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Your support matters!
Diversification of donor funds into the various Impact Pillars benefits our community.
By choosing to donate to any one of the pillars above, you will make a significant difference in the life of another human being.
- Over and above, the following items are always in need:
- Toiletries for children (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap)
- Sanitary towels for adolescent girls
- Baby disposable nappies and wet wipes
- School stationery (calculators, pens, pencils, erasers etc.)
- Blankets and jerseys
- Used/new school shoes and running shoes
- Used/new school clothes (grey trousers, white shirts, grey pullovers)
- Used/new clothing items
- Children’s story books (ages 7-12 years)
- Adolescent books (ages 13-18 years)
- And of course Flip Flops – the must have South Africa slop! Any size counts!
For more information about our community programmes, please contact our foundation co-ordinator at [email protected].
Lalibela Community Outreach is a registered NPO (LCO 2017/512752/08).
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
Nelson Mandela
COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT AT LALIBELA
