Jobs for 250 Impoverished Families in Swaziland

Before starting the organization, the founders of Kudvumisa discovered that poverty and health were correlated prompting them to develop a vison where the organization would seek to address these two fundamental issues concurrently.

If someone is poor it goes without saying that they may not afford a good balanced diet. Because of a compromised diet the person becomes susceptible to illnesses. And if they fall ill and even if they manage to get access to medication they still need good food to support their recovery and boost their immune system. Unfortunately with many villagers living far below the poverty line it remained a huge risk for one to fall sick.

The Kudvumisa Foundation mission statement reads, “Kudvumisa Foundation is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate health care and empowering the disenfranchised to escape the grip of crushing poverty in the impoverished, marginalized, and isolated communities of Eswatini.”

Unlike many organizations, Kudvumisa Foundation deliberately placed its offices right inside the communities they serve rather than base themselves in a city. That way the organization managed to feel the pain of the villagers and think of ways of alleviating their suffering. One such project is the commercial development project earmarked for Maphiveni just a stone throw away from the Kudvumisa offices.

This massive project will see a well-known supermarket chain put up a grocery store there. As part of the project there will be a gas station and many other ancillary services being offered at Maphiveni. The project once completed will change the face of the area currently dominated by derelict buildings that have long become home to rodents and reptiles. Most importantly the commercial development will see hundreds of jobs being unlocked thus bringing hope and a source of livelihood to the less privileged communities.  And for Kudvumisa? Sustainable income to continue the health and economic development outreach.

The project which was scheduled to start in 2019 will commence anytime soon subject to a decision from the bank. “We are still awaiting the response from the bank. It can come anytime from now and we continue to be optimistic as we know the impact the project has for the people of Lubombo,” said Daran Rehmeyer, one of the Kudvumisa Foundation directors. “Please join us as we pray for a positive response from the bank.”

Once started the project is set to immediately employ scores of people doing construction work. And at completion the grocery store, the gas station and other services will see hundreds of locals getting permanent jobs. The commercial centre will not only transform Maphiveni into a notable place on the Eswatini map but also help pull many people out of the cruel jaws of poverty.

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The Kudvumisa Foundation with the help of its partners is creating employment opportunities for young people in Lubombo. The organization is currently involved in a number of employment generating activities that include crawfish marketing, marula and moringa oil processing, commercial development, guest house project and of course the medical outreach and clinic.

Firstly the crawfish project has seen a number of households getting a constant income by catching the fish from the nearby rivers and getting compensation from Kudvumisa.The organisation then markets the fish in the cities.

Next is the marula and moringa oil project. A number of women are earning a living through the harvest of the seeds which they deliver to Kudvumisa for crushing into oil. With the trees growing naturally in the area they is no need for any watering or pruning. Therefore all that needs to be done is harvesting!

Besides the oil project, there is the commercial property development earmarked for the Maphiveni area. The project includes the construction of a grocery store, a gas station and and offices that will offer a number of services. Although construction hasn’t started yet the project according to Daran Rehmeyer(Director at Kudvumisa) will see hundreds of people getting employment during the construction phase as well as after the project has been completed.

The other activity that the organization is involved in is the medical outreach and the construction of the clinic at Maphiveni. With the provision of medical care to the impoverished and marginalized rural communities being at the core of the organization’s vision, more than 17 people at each given time have had a constant income for the last 11 years. And once the clinic has been opened a number of people will get jobs in areas such as nursing, pharmacy, reception, laboratory, dental care etc.

Last but not least is the guest house project. The facility has seven rooms (all en suite) and is close to completion. The construction of the guest house has seen scores of people get work at the various stages of the project. And recently with the help of Longmont Calvary Church of Colorado eight men were employed for two months to do tiling for the guest house floors and bathrooms.  On completion the guest house will provide accommodation to visiting teams, tourists and local visitors thus generating money for Kudvumisa to support the clinic and medical outreach mission. Also when complete, the guest house will employ about four people that will work at the guest house on a permanent basis.

With the number of activities Kudvumisa is doing in the Maphiveni area, the place has witnessed transformation from being known for derelict and abandoned buildings to a hive of activity that radiates hope, life, health and promise.

Links:

• Kudvumisa Website
• Kudvumisa on Facebook