Funding boost for NGOs from agency
Plans to cast net wider next year
TEN non-profit organisation’s were yesterday given a R400 000 boost by the Buffalo City Metro Development Agency.
This funding, spread between the 10 organisations, will be directly channelled into their community development projects.
The recipients are: the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro); East London High Transmission Area Project; Zanoncedo Empowerment Centre; Small Projects Foundation; Angels Orphanage Project; Masibambisane HomeBased Care and Support Group; Dibashe Special Centre; Jack and Jill Educare Centre; Eluxolweni Community Wellness Centre; and Christian Social Services (CSS).
Chief social worker at CSS Gaye Moonieya said her organisation’s safe house for abused and destitute mothers and their children was in desperate need of an educare centre to teach the children in their care.
“Because of the generous investment made by the agency, we have been able to get equipment for our educare centre, which also allows for some of the moms to get training and become employed at the creche.
“We received the funding in three phases, and with every transaction, the agency has followed up to see what we have done with all of the funding they have given us.”
Moonieya said they were looking forward to the last transfer with which they aspired to buy Wendy houses to make more room for abused women.
“We are very excited because they are helping us become bigger to help more who are in need of our services,” she said.
Zanoncedo Empowerment Centre’s managing director Mandisa Dukashe, who runs an organisation which focuses on HIV prevention, home-based care and promoting self-management to those living with HIV, said the funding was not only a huge help but inspired hope.
“We are extremely grateful for the faith the agency has placed in us, they have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and have also allowed for us to keep shining the torch to those we support,” she said.
BCMDA marketing manager Ruweida Naina said they had placed advertisements late last year appealing to organisation’s in need of support to apply for funding.
“These are some of the many organisations that applied to our call for community development. We selected the ones with the most impact within their respective communities.
“Next year we want to cast our net even wider and stretch to other regions like Dimbaza and Ndevana among others,” she said.