Amaoti is among the largest and most destitute informal settlements in KZN and is situated on the border of Phoenix, north of Durban. Social problems facing the community include the abuse of women and children, unemployment, the ripple effect of HIV and AIDS (creating orphans), child headed households and a lack of proper housing.
Lungisani Indlela (Prepare the Way) was founded on Christian principles and is a registered Trust, Non-Profit and Public Benefit Organisation. Lungisani Indlela has a vision of bringing the Amaoti community hope for the future, and to transform and empower the lives of the people.
The trust has been working in Amaoti since November 2001, and started with a simple weekly feeding scheme. Projects supported include a Back to School Programme; Teenage Empowerment Programme; Crèche Development Programme; Children and Family Support Project; Sports Development Programme; Holiday Club Programme and an Education and Skills Development Programme.
FMI (Financial Management International), the income protection specialists, has taken on Lungisani Indlela as one of the organisations it chooses to allocate funds to annually. FMI and its staff recently took it upon themselves to follow a more hands on approach, instead of simply transferring funds into the Lungisani Indlela Trust.
In the picture above: FMI CEO Brad Toerien shares the joy with Brookdale Primary pupils.
The company recently paid a visit to the Brookdale Primary School in Amaoti on January 28 with gifts in hand. Staff members were allocated a child (along with personal particulars, shoe size, clothing size etc) and asked to buy them an outfit. The idea was to give a child a personalised gift (with a message of encouragement and support) and let a parentless child know that someone out there cares enough to buy them something. The children were overjoyed by the gesture.
FMI also recently became aware of a newly formed children’s choir in Amaoti, which was established by a passionate Lungisani Indlela employee, Zama Gumede. When people in the community got word of the newly found talent and teamwork that was keeping children off the streets, the number of members grew substantially. When FMI heard about the choir, they decided to organise for a top voice coach in Durban, Charon Williams-Ros, to go into Amaoti and give the children voice training.
The Lungisani Indlela children’s choir soon received word of their automatic entry into the SABC 1 Crown Gospel Choir Competition! But the ecstatic children soon realised they did not have anything smart enough to wear . . . which would make them look like an organised unit.
Crown Gospel Choir Competition
It was at this point that they took it upon themselves to start raising money for appropriate uniforms. The children washed cars and sold hot dogs but unfortunately ended up with a shortfall. FMI decided to cover the shortfall and the children had beautiful outfits made. They looked and sounded amazing on the night of the competition.
Following through on their goal to be more “hands on” with Lungisani Indlela and people in need, FMI have also started an internal mentorship programme. The programme allows for passionate Amaoti community members to get work experience and learn from professionals by spending time with staff at FMI. Zanele Brown started the ball rolling spending time with FMI’s Marketing staff and learning how to sell concepts, as well as how to operate certain computer programs that the Marketing department make use of.
FMI staff have also decided to get involved in their personal capacity and sponsor certain children for the Lungisani Indlela Back to School Programme. Twelve children currently benefit.
FMI management said the company was thrilled to be involved with Lungisani Indlela – a fantastic organisation which was doing great things for the Amaoti community.
For more info: laurenl@fmi.co.za