The story of Sinebhongo Village

1. The story ofSinebhongo Village Volunteer Rotarians, members of 5 Rotary Clubs in East London, South Africa, with the support of many Rotarians in various parts of the world, developed Sinebhongo Village They have now set their next goal

2. Introduction • Today we are going to tell you about the low cost housing project that grew into Sinebhongo Village - its benefits have spread into the wider community • My name is Tony Wheals. I am a member of the Rotary Club of East London, South Africa, and the volunteer leader of the project • Where there was empty land, there is now a community of 100 families with facilities serving a larger area • Rotary volunteers, teamwork and networking with contacts are the essential elements that enabled this project to succeed

3. Before & After

4. Topics of Discussion • This presentation covers the following:- • The origin of the project • Organisation • Supporters • Results achieved in 5 years • Coming of age • Plans for the future

5. The origins of Sinebhongo Village • In April 1998 I took a wrong turn and drove past kilometers of squatter shacks • Soon afterwards I read about RIP Glen Kinross’ Low Cost Housing initiative • Here was a unique opportunity for Rotary to make a difference and benefit the poor • I dreamed of a project to build 100 Low Cost Shelters • I spoke to some Rotarians - this led to contacts • Five Rotary Clubs in the area agreed to help – Arcadia, Beacon Bay, East London, Gately & Gonubie

6. The Beneficiaries • The municipal housing waiting list was the source of the target beneficiaries • Single mothers with dependent children under 18 could apply • Applicants were interviewed to assess suitability • Successful applicants were trained to understand the responsibilities of owning their own homes • Completed houses were transferred into their names, but they may not sell them for 5 years

7. Organisation • We formed a non-profit company, and appointed directors from volunteers from the five Rotary Clubs • Our Rotary connections gave us strengths in civil engineering, housing, administration, property law, community development, accounting, etc • We also forged links with our municipality and the provincial government housing department • Through Rotary connections, we built contacts with overseas clubs, districts, zones • Via telephone, fax, and later especially by email, we maintained a regular exchange of information • We marketed the project to promote donations to specific sub-projects by supporters around the world • We held monthly project team meetings

8. Supporters • Rotary Clubs and supporters in North America, England, Australia and South Africa gathered funds. The East Cape Provincial Government gave housing subsidies • Together, these funded the village infrastructure, houses, washing lines, trees, playground, fencing, hall furniture, training & capacity building of the beneficiaries, etc • Industrial Development Corporation sponsored funds for an edu-care centre building that would also serve as a hall or resource centre

9. Results achieved in 5 years • We raised R3.5million (US$500 000) and established:- • the village infrastructure (roads, water supply, sewers, electricity, street lights) • 100 houses, washing line and tree for each home • A resource centre building and furniture • A thriving EduCare Centreof 40 children aged 3-7 • a playground for the children • 100 former squatter families now own their own homes • Two churches hold services in the resource centre An excellent example of Rotarian volunteers around the world uniting to uplift the poor & build a healthy, self-sustaining community

10. This was bushy land before we started Sinebhongo Village(Sinebhongo means “to be proud”)

11. Proud women celebrate their new homes

12. This is the Resource Centre • Face-brick construction • Iron roof • 100 sq m floor area • Rentals from churches etc help make it self-sustaining

13. Community Hall (Resource Centre) Playground next to the Hall The Mayor addresses guests at the hand-over of the Hall There are 4 different activity stands

14. EduCare Centre Scene Permaculture m2 Gardening 9th January 2003 5th February 2003 Children doing puzzles

15. Coming of age Volunteers from Rotary Clubs have worked hard for five years to raise the quality of life and housing for 100 families The community is now coming of age, and beginning to learn that hard work and self-discipline are necessary to manage the assets in a self-sustaining manner

16. Plans for the Future • It is essential that community resources be managed in a consistent and self-sustaining manner from year to year. • The community must resolve how they will ensure this • The volunteers will work with positive forces in the village to foster the vision of self-sustaining assets, and to build a library for the benefit of the wider community. The building could perhaps also serve as a base for the mobile clinic that serves the area

17. This is the land • Erf no 53560, area 9224 m2 • Existing resource centre/hall with functioning, fully equipped EduCare Centre & playground • The Library will be built near the hall

18. Library vision • A Library will help educate and entertain many who lack access to such facilities • We are preparing the building plans • Estimated cost of Library building is R220 000 – funding has already been promised • Over 700 books have already been selected from donations • Suitable volunteers from the community will be trained by the city library staff, to manage the books • The library is a Rotary Centennial 2005 project

19. THE TIME HAS COME • Hard work and dedication is necessary to achieve significant things in life • For FIVE YEARS the Rotarian volunteers have worked to give 100 families their own homes on their own land, in a good environment, with access to an EduCare Centre, playground and hall • Now they are working to provide a self-sustaining Library that will bring knowledge and pleasure to thousands of people

20. How YOU can helpSinebhongo Village • Endorse this project by Rotarian volunteers to benefit many disadvantaged people over a wide area

21. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU Tony Wheals, project leader (member of the Rotary Club of East London, South Africa)