Siyakhula. We’re growing. Together. That was the motto for 2024 of iThemba projects, working in the community of kwaMpumuza near Pietermaritzburg. Sustainability is absolutely key to their approach. They don’t tell the community what to do; they listen and let the community lead. Early childhood development is promoted by mentors who encourage mothers to read to and play with their children. The mothers grow in confidence that they have the power to prepare their children for a better future, bringing hope to these families. Mentors also help preschool teachers to get the best out of the children.
Nutrition mentors help the community with their food gardens. A mother says: ‘In January when parents struggle to pay school fees, my garden helps us all out - I can feed the kids from the garden until we have money again.’ Every week, iThemba’s youth mentors show up at 10 schools: doing assemblies, hanging out with kids, and teaching life skills classes. They create safe spaces for kids to talk about what matters - even hard things like bullying or abuse. A school principal says: ‘You guys fit. You know the kids, and they know and trust you. That’s why it works.’ Followers become leaders! A full-time youth mentor who grew up participating in an iThemba programme says: ‘I want to be a caring mentor to these kids, like the mentors I had, who gave me time and attention when no-one else did that for me.’ There are also youth camps, and ongoing construction of extensions to the community youth centre. iThemba wants to reach 75% or more of the community to reach a tipping point in order to see permanent, whole-community change.
