ZIMELE USA

VISION:

To free rural communities of Kwazulu Natal from the poverty cycle by transforming each into a Zimele community able to stand on its own two feet.

MISSION:

To raise awareness and gain support across USA to help Zimele communities become self sustainable through the implementation of appropriate localized programs.

VALUES:

Hope Improving lives through our thoughtful and effective mentoring programs Healing Empowering a life for tomorrow, not just sustaining a life for today Empowerment Caring for those ravaged by HIV/AIDS, violence, and abject poverty through mental and wellness programs Justice Fair and righteous treatment of women and children Community Life challenges can only be solved collectively, not individually Accountability Individuals and communities are ultimately responsible for their own success

HIV/AIDS and poverty are ravaging South Africa. Zimele is working towards a longterm solution through Self-Help Programs that instill self-reliance and restore dignity into the lives of so many women and children in poverty. The hope is to rebuild Africa one community at a time.

In Zulu, Zimele translates into "to stand on one's own feet". Instead of a charity approach that reinforces a dependency on others, Zimele seeks to build a spirit of self-reliance by equiping individuals with the skills and tools necessary to develop psychological and financial independence by implementing our unique mix of development programs designed specifically for the rural communities of Kwazulu Natal and Zimbabwe. Our programs are:

• Community Mentoring - The individuals that are mentored are involved in their own craft or agricultural businesses. Many participants in the Self-Help Groups have started various individual or group micro businesses such as spazas (roadside stands), tuck (small grocery) stores, community gardens, catering businesses, and beauty salons. ZIMELE provides business training to these entrepreneurs to assist them with the launch and growth of their businesses. ZIMELE encourages the groups to become independent businesses and to purchase the required raw materials directly from the suppliers. Until this is possible, ZIMELE acts as an intermediary.

• Fair-Trade Marketing - ZIMELE Fair-trade exists to provide a marketing outlet for the goods produced by the participants. This is the marketing department of ZIMELE. It will be the facilitator between the independent producers (craft/agriculture/other) and the local, national and international market.

• Self-Help Groups - The SHGs self-help approach involves 3 phases concentrating on social, economic and political empowerment. This approach provides an environment of growth and enables the participants to step up from impoverished surroundings towards a life of dignity. The ZIMELE staff provides training, guidance and continual mentoring.