In January, we reported on Nkhesani Manganyi and his path to employment with the Ndlovu Care Group. Despite developmental delays and limited speech, he was able to develop vocational skills with the support of the team and secure a permanent job in brick production.
Nkhesani now also works on the Ndlovu farm. There, he is involved in the watermelon harvest during the season. This work requires stamina, reliability and the ability to work in a team – skills that he has steadily developed over the past few years.
The cultivation of watermelons is of economic importance in South Africa, especially in rural regions such as Limpopo. It not only contributes to the supply of fresh food, but also creates seasonal jobs. The Ndlovu Care Group combines two goals: To strengthen food security in the region and to provide people with practical employment opportunities.
Nkhesani’s new area of work shows how flexible the fields of work in the projects are. He can contribute his experience from his previous work and acquire new skills at the same time. In this way, his professional development is gradually expanding – from production operations to agricultural tasks.
At the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center, we focus on hands-on learning. Our bricklaying trainees were able to apply their knowledge under real-life conditions by building an L-shaped wall as part of their practical examination. These tasks simulate typical requirements in everyday working life – they promote technical understanding, manual skills and the self-confidence of our trainees.
This type of training not only strengthens technical skills, but also paves the way for a successful professional future.
We would like to thank the German Postcode Lottery for its generous support for the construction of our vocational training center. Only such support makes sustainable education possible for young people locally.
Potatoes were planted at the Ndlovu/Lefas Farm these days with a great deal of dedication and commitment.
Ndlovu Farm as a holistic training and inclusion project
The Ndlovu Farm/Lefas Farm was established with the primary aim of providing people in the area with the necessary agricultural skills to secure or even improve their livelihoods. The project functions as an education and training center where participants can receive training and gain practical experience in growing crops as well as in sales and accounting. This holistic approach aims not only to strengthen the individual skills of the participants, but also to make a sustainable contribution to economic empowerment and food security for the entire community. In particular, participants in the support program for disabled and impaired children and young people are also trained here in order to create a livelihood for themselves and their families. The story of Evonne Ndlala, a young woman from the Ndlovu Care Group‘s Jorishaus program, is particularly inspiring.
Evonne’s path to independence
Evonne received medical care and support early on due to her challenges at school. Her development was characterized by health challenges: After birth, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had to undergo intensive medical treatment. She also struggled with developmental delays, which made her school career more difficult. Despite these challenges, she always showed great fighting spirit.
Evonne is the youngest of four children and grew up in a stable family with both parents working and acting as her main providers. Her family always supported her, even when her school career was difficult. She repeated several grades until she finally moved to a boarding school for children with special needs. There she finally found the support she needed before transferring to Jorishaus.
The Jorishaus as a pioneer for inclusion
Thanks to the loving and targeted support of the Ndlovu Care Group, she has been able to make incredible progress over the years. Today, she is not only a dedicated employee of Ndlovu Farm, but has also found her voice: She acts as a spokesperson for her peers and inspires many with her story.
The Jorishaus, which opened in 2017 with the support of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, has set a milestone in inclusion work. Thanks to the generous financial support from ENERGETIX Bingen, young people with disabilities have been given a perspective. In particular, the establishment of practical training programs, such as in brick production and agricultural work on the Ndlovu farm, enables them to lead independent lives. These were set up with the financial support of the DEUTSCHE POSTCODE LOTTERY . Together for an inclusive future
Evonne impressively demonstrates that inclusion is not just a vision, but a living reality. She is the best example of the success of this program and how important it is to give people with special challenges the opportunity to develop.
The Hugo Tempelman Foundation would like to thank ENERGETIX Bingen and the German Postcode Lottery for their tireless support! Together we can create real change.
The Hugo Tempelman Foundation (HTS) has been supporting the inclusion work of the Ndlovu Care Group (NCG) for years. Thanks in particular to the generous financial support of ENERGETIX Bingen and its dedicated employees and sales partners, real change has been achieved.
A milestone in this collaboration was the opening of the Jorishaus in 2017, which laid the foundation for bringing children and young people with disabilities out of the shadows of prejudice and discrimination. Many of the children affected used to be seen as “God’s punishment”, ostracized and literally hidden away by their families. Today, Jorishaus offers them a place in society – a chance to develop their full potential.
From the very beginning, Bild hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” has been at the side of this project. With their support, a bus was provided to pick up the children from their homes every day and bring them safely to daycare – and back again in the evening. This transport option is an essential part of the program and enables many children to participate in the first place.
Individual support for a better future The Ndlovu Care Group’s day care center looks after children with a wide range of disabilities – from mild intellectual impairments to severe cerebral disorders. Under the loving and professional care of the trained staff, the children make remarkable progress.
Many of these children have now grown into adolescents, and the support of the Ndlovu Care Group does not end there. Today, Jorishaus also offers training programs that enable the young adults to become independent. The former “problem children” who were once hidden away by society are now not only able to fend for themselves, but have often become the main breadwinners for their families.
A key sponsor for this is Postcode Lotterie Deutschland, which provided significant funding for the construction of the vocational school. This facility has a section, brick production, in which young people with disabilities receive practical training. This creates prospects and gives them the chance of an independent and self-determined life.
An example of change: The story of Nkhesani Manganyi Nkhesani Manganyi, now 20 years old, was born with developmental delays and severely impaired speech. His single mother overcame all challenges under difficult circumstances and ensured that he received medical help. Despite his disability, Nkhesani is able to lead a full life thanks to the support of the Ndlovu Care Group.
Nkhesani blossomed in his participation in NCG’s programs. He works in brick production at NCG, where he is responsible for the precise management of materials as the “master of counting”. This has completely changed his position within the family: He is the one who contributes significantly to the livelihood of his family, who are building a new home thanks to his help.
Nkhesani is also involved in his community: he volunteers to patrol as part of a neighborhood watch, ensuring greater security. Although his family is often worried about him, his courage shows how much he has gained in self-confidence.
A Mindchange – Pride in real change The story of Nkhesani is just one of many that show the profound impact of the work of the Ndlovu Care Group and the support of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation. Today, marginalized children are part of society, are encouraged and challenged, and grow into strong personalities.
We would like to thank all partners, supporters and donors who make these success stories possible. Bild hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder”, Postcode Lotterie Deutschland, ENERGETIX Bingen and many others make an indispensable contribution to making inclusion a reality in South Africa.
After the Hugo Tempelman Foundation laid the foundation for the Foodgarden program in 2020 with the help of RTL Wir helfen Kindern e.V., Lefa’s farm is a meaningful extension and continuation of the program. The Foodgarden program enabled the construction of more than 2,000 private self-sufficiency gardens in times when the need was even greater than usual due to the pandemic. At Lefas Farm, everyone can now learn what it takes to turn their small private self-sufficiency garden into a thriving business.
For the Foodgarden program, the seedlings are pre-grown centrally and then distributed.
Lefas Farm was set up with the primary aim of providing women and interested young people with the necessary agricultural skills to secure or even improve their livelihoods. The project functions as an education and training center where participants can receive training and gain practical experience in growing crops as well as in sales and accounting. This holistic approach aims not only to strengthen the participants’ individual skills, but also to make a sustainable contribution to economic empowerment and food security for the entire community.
Seedlings are distributed to participants.
An outstanding feature of Lefas Farm is its holistic approach to agricultural education. From land preparation and planting to harvesting and storage, the aim is to provide a holistic understanding of the entire cultivation cycle. In addition to teaching practical skills, topics such as soil and water management, pest control, market access and marketing strategies are also covered. This enables participants to become not only efficient farmers, but also successful entrepreneurs who can sell their products on local markets and thus generate a sustainable income.
Irrigation is by means of a drip irrigation system.
In September 2023, a new greenhouse was built for the cultivation of tomatoes and peppers to give participants hands-on experience in greenhouse cultivation. Under the guidance of experienced farmers, the participants learned the basics of greenhouse cultivation, from preparing the soil to planting, caring for the plants and harvesting. The success of every harvest depends on careful care. This includes precise watering, timely addition of fertilizers, efficient pest control and weed control. Tomatoes are typically harvested over a period of two to three weeks. By taking a strategic approach, where the cultivation stages were spread over different weeks, an extended harvest period is planned on the farm, which spans about 2 months. The first harvest started in the second week of January 2024 and lasted until mid-March thanks to continuous harvesting activities in all sections.
Planting on Lefa’s farm11 to 15 young people and women in the community are currently involved in the program.
Selling the produce is a crucial aspect of the production chain, as it is at this stage that the profits are realized. To address this, market contacts have been made and links established with various entities such as local greengrocers, supermarkets, fast food restaurants, lodges, community members and local professionals. This extensive market network not only facilitates the sale of the harvests, but also serves as a strategic approach to minimize the risk of losses, as the harvested tomatoes do not have a long storage period.
Growing tomato plantsThe first harvest is ready for sorting
Within 1.5 weeks, the farm achieved sales totaling 3,000 rand (approx. 150 euros). Building on this initial success, we anticipate a total revenue forecast of at least 30,000 Rand from the tomato and bell pepper project. Overall, Lefas Farm has a tangible and positive impact on the local community. It contributes to poverty alleviation, food security and economic development and creates a dynamic farming community that is ready for the challenges of the future.
The Ndlovu Disability Program is a pioneering initiative to promote the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities. The program has achieved considerable success: In 2021, 45 beneficiaries were supported, a year later this number had already risen to 69 participants.
The program also offers vocational training, such as in the new brick factory attached to the Ndlovu Care Group’s vocational school. This factory offers employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
The continuous support of ENERGETIX Bingen has contributed significantly to the success of the inclusion program. The opening of the Jorishaus laid the foundation for children with disabilities to lead a self-determined life within their means. Some of these children are now employed in the brick factory and thus contribute to their own livelihood.
This funding program aims to provide long-term support rather than being a one-off intervention. The generous financial support and especially the continued support from our partners at ENERGETIX Bingen are crucial to maintaining and expanding this effective program. We are extremely grateful for your support!
This video provides an insight into the current activities of the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center. The participants of the Postcode Lottery Germany made the opening of this vocational school possible. The Hugo Tempelman Foundation would like to thank them!
In 2022, Postcode Lottery Germany, in collaboration with the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, took a significant step for the youth in rural Bloempoort/Limpopo, South Africa. We are proud to have supported the construction of a vocational training center that will once again open a door to a promising future for 48 new students this January.
In the province of Limpopo, where the Ndlovu Care Group is active, young people often have no prospects after leaving school. This is where our commitment comes in: a training center for skilled trades has been created to provide boys and girls with a solid foundation for their livelihoods. We are convinced that education is the key to a better future, and this is precisely where our project comes in.
The vocational training center offers training in four different professions: Carpentry/joinery, bricklaying and plastering, painting and varnishing and plumbing. This practice-oriented training is intended not only to impart skills, but also to pave the way to a stable and secure future. After all, youth unemployment in South Africa is a challenge that will determine the future of the country. We would like to thank the Postcode Lottery for its support. Their financial commitment secures the operation of the facility for 3 years, after which the project should be able to stand on its own two feet. All signs point to success!
The Hugo Tempelman Foundation is delighted to announce that it has once again received a generous donation from RTL Spendenmarathon as part of the “RTL Wir helfen Kindern” initiative. This significant financial support will help to realize an expansion of our vocational training facility to curb youth unemployment in South Africa.
Our main aim is to improve the situation of young people in rural South Africa, whose future prospects are severely limited due to a lack of educational opportunities. The average age of school leavers in this region is an alarmingly low 13.5 years. Without a solid foundation for a stable future, these young people face various challenges, such as increasing alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, rape, prostitution and rising youth crime.
To help these young people in need, we have joined forces with the Ndlovu Care Group to reach them through early vocational training and offer them permanent employment opportunities. Manual skills are rare in the region, but at the same time in high demand. By expanding the building and equipping our vocational school with the necessary equipment for the electricity department, we can give these young people the opportunity to receive qualified training and then build a sustainable career.
The generous donation from RTL Wir helfen Kindern enables us to drive this important project forward and make a lasting difference to the lives of many disadvantaged young people. We are sincerely grateful to RTL and the entire “RTL Wir helfen Kindern” initiative for their support and commitment to bringing about positive change in the world.
Last month, 38 learners graduated from the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center, which was opened last year with great support from the Postcode Lottery Germany on the initiative of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation. These students have worked hard to acquire skills in plumbing, bricklaying, carpentry and painting. Now they are ready to set up their own business, earn their own income and realize their full personal potential.
Investments in schools and education are never in vain. We would therefore like to thank all our supporters who have stood by our side for more than 15 years and strengthened our commitment to children and young people in need in southern Africa. Over the years, we have seen enormous developments – both in the communities and in the individuals we got to know as children and who are now starting their careers. The effort is worthwhile and it reaches exactly where it is needed. Thank you very much for that.
We wish all our friends, supporters, sponsors and those interested in our work a happy Easter and relaxing days in these tense times.
