Economic Development
As the majority of community members lack the skills to secure employment, programs to facilitate economic development through training are now a focus of the Trust’s project portfolio.
Bakery & Sewing Centre
The construction of the Bakery in Utah is now complete. The Trust together with the Telkom Foundation hopes that this project will provide skills training and sustainable employment through supplying bread, confectionery, pies and pizzas to the community and surrounding game lodges. We are currently in the process of equipping the bakery.
A sewing centre adjoins the bakery and will further enhance the ability of community members to begin manufacturing and marketing their merchandise. We have received funding as well as raw materials for this project from a well-known textile manufacturer.
Suitable training programs for entrepreneurship and management are being investigated.
DevCentre
This project, in conjunction with Africa Foundation and USAASA (previously Universal Services Agency), is envisioned to provide community members with tertiary training opportunities as well as to promote and facilitate entrepreneurial endeavours. Donations for construction have been steady with our largest sponsors to date being the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Merrill Lynch. In addition, Pinnacle Micro have partnered with the group. They have secured sponsorship for the costs of professional services towards this construction and will assist in equipping the computer training centre.
The proposed construction includes spaces which will be let out to government agencies, financial services agencies and similar service providers. This ensures the projects long term sustainability as the rentals are aimed to cover the running costs of the facility and subsidise the training programsthereby benefiting the community.
