Started in 1997 by brothers Harry and Smiley Ubisi, the Kunavelela Community Project was born out of a desperate need to help raise the disproportionately large population of orphaned children, most suffering from HIV/Aids, in the small village of Hluvukani, Mpumalanga, South Africa. According to The Rotary Club of Burnaby, “The village has about 9,000 people in 950 houses; there are 580 single parents and 340 kids without parents, primarily due to AIDS” (2011).

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Initially, the project aimed to provide safety and community spirit to those children in most need, by keep them off the streets and active in a healthy environment. Harry and Smiley started a soccer team, provided uniforms and the necessary equipment all while teaching them the sport, team spirit, and leadership.

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Seen as successful community leaders themselves, the Ubisi brothers soon saw the need to expand their project beyond soccer, and in 2008 secured enough funding to purchase land to start a community garden. This was a huge turning point for the entire village and most notably for the young ones of Hluvukani. The elders of the village volunteered to reap the land, sow the seeds, and grow fresh vegetables to feed the children and others in need in their village.

 

In 2010, non-profit status was granted to the Kunavelela Community Project by the South African government, easing the process to receive non-government funding for community projects, increasing access to free antiretroviral medication for the villagers, and promoting and encouraging local support for the cause.

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In 2012, a windmill was erected to permanently provide year-round access to water thereby allowing for more vegetable to be grown and more children and adults in need to be fed. This garden, for many villagers, is the sole source of fresh produce!

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In 2016, to meet the needs of the children and the villagers, the Ubisi brothers doubled the size of the garden, have installed a new water pump and new electrical lines, made the bricks and built a shed to house the pump, and planted trees for needed shade from the scorching sun.

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There efforts continue to receive much praise, and in 2016, the Kunavelela Community Project received a US$5,000 grant from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and the cast of The Lion King on Broadway. This significant grant will change the lives of many!

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While much good news comes from the efforts of so many, the need for continued support of the Kunavelela Community Project has never been greater. Many of the elders of the village are succumbing to the ravages of HIV/Aids. These elders have taken care of many of the parentless children and those children whose parents must leave their children behind to find employment far from the village. Now, the role of parent, caregiver, and teacher is falling more and more squarely on the Ubisi brothers and the Kunavelela Community Project. To make matters worse, real fears of the region falling into a severe drought this coming summer threaten the garden and efforts that protect and feed the children who need it the most.

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EduTourSA is committed to ongoing support of the Kunavelela Community Project. Please click here to learn more about the tremendous efforts and to offer a donation.