ISIQALO ESISHA FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

Isiqalo Esisha Foundation is a non- profit organization NPO Number: 618-370, that is situated at 232 Entokozweni ( Police view ), Tweefontein F, KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, 1023.

The foundation consists of a committee and  operational manager who is also the founder and volunteers of qualified social workers. The foundation deals with the social behavioral changes, community integration and social problems faced by communities on a daily basis.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Isiqalo Esisha Foundation workers managed to reach the community members through the organizational introduction to different stakeholders and to the community. The Social workers introduced themselves to the councilor of the ward and to the police officers to solidify the working relationship with them. Introductions to the local municipality were also made to expand our networking space. Different local clinics were approached at Tweefontein G and Tweefontein M to network with them, infiltrate their database and to inform the community about the services that are being rendered at Isiqalo Esisha Foundation. Youth groups sessions are held during school holidays and different awareness campaigns are used to equip the youth with skills and knowledge. Isiqalo Esisha Foundation also has a working relationship with the local hospital and we also networked with other local organisations and schools around Thembisile Hani municipality. We have set up a library and internet centre for the youth to have access to resources and better their studies and futures.

CHALLENGES

Isiqalo Esisha Foundation is experiencing lot of challenges that are contributed by the lack of resources and funds and this hinders the workers to do their work as expected. It does not have adequate office equipment as well as transport to take them from one destination to the next to cover the four areas that we are planning to reach in The Thembisile Hani Municipality.

Another challenge that we are experiencing is the high rental which resulted in Isiqalo Esisha Foundation depending on donors/sponsors to pay the rent. This has resulted in us having to move to smaller premises and it hampers our ability to accommodate the members of the community that visit our premises.  The workers are working without any financial appreciation and they are volunteering their services and they have families and needs to meet and Isiqalo Esisha Foundation cannot afford to pay them salaries or wages since there are no funds that are allocated to Isiqalo Esisha Foundation. In future it will demoralize the dedicated workers to do their work effectively. The communities require recommendations and medical help, which makes it hard to meet sometimes due to lack of funds. The children that come to the office/ work space at the Isiqalo Esisha Foundation  requires some form of entertainment, extra curriculum activities and internet connectivity which is currently sustained by our sponsors. We have also identified that many young people are family heads or bare the responsibilities of being adults at a young ag. They deviate to substances, they grow up in households affected/ effected by HIV & AIDs which affects them and we have also identified that most woman are experiencing GBV.

EVALUATION

The existence of Isiqalo Esisha Foundation is well appreciated by community members, schools, clinics and other stakeholders. The organisation is experiencing a massive challenge which requires financial assistance in order to provide sufficient and effective social assistance. Due to lack of funds it will be difficult for the organisation to achieve its mission and goal.

SOLUTION

It will be highly appreciated if our government or any other departments or private companies can intervene with any form of financial assistance, equipment, sponsorship of materials and resources in order for the organisation to fulfill  its purpose. We also network with rehabilitation centres for after-care services to assist those that are recovering from substance abuse.

OUR SERVICES

• Social and Behavioural change
• Trauma & bereavement counselling
• Group Sessions
  • Children
  • Youth
  • Caregivers
• Psychosocial support
  • Families
  • Individuals
  • Groups
• After-care services to recovered addicts
• Substance abuse
• Gender Based Violence
• HIV / Aids Programmes
• Youth empowerment
• Dialogues and awareness campaigns
• Support to school children with the completion of homework. This also requires us to provide snacks and meals to vulnerable children  and we are in need of financial support to provided a nutritious meal for the children that come to the foundation.