IMVELIResearch · Training · Awareness

Impact · 2017 – 2026

Nearly a decade of community-led change.

Grassroots programming that translates into households strengthened, young people employed and communities that speak for themselves.

40

Youth in learnerships

45+

Livelihoods created

8

Volunteers → paid roles

9+

Years serving communities

Achievements

What we've delivered

Employment & Economic Empowerment

  • Placed 40 unemployed youth (18–28) from Potsdam Village, Phumlani, SANTA and Mdantsane into accredited learnerships.
  • Created livelihoods for 45+ community members through food security and agriculture.
  • Supported women, youth, older persons and vulnerable households with income opportunities.
  • Helped 8 community volunteers transition into salaried employment after training and mentorship.

Food Security & Poverty Alleviation

  • Established and supported community food gardens and household food production.
  • Implemented food security programmes benefiting vulnerable households.
  • Promoted nutrition education and sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Strengthened community resilience against hunger and poverty.

GBV Prevention & Human Rights

  • Facilitated community awareness campaigns addressing GBVF.
  • Supported the establishment and strengthening of community safe spaces.
  • Promoted human rights awareness and community dialogue.
  • Mobilised communities to challenge harmful norms and violence.

HIV Prevention & Community Health

  • Conducted HIV prevention and awareness campaigns.
  • Supported stigma reduction and treatment literacy.
  • Established Adolescent & Youth Friendly Services with Potsdam Clinic.
  • Ran school-based sanitary pad distribution and reproductive health programmes.

From the field

Moments from our work

Community members tending a food garden with potato beds
Community carrot field with village houses in the background
Rows of mature cabbages in the community garden
Fresh beetroot harvest bunches laid out on the grass
Four women holding fresh spinach and chard harvests indoors
Three community members holding mixed vegetable harvests
Women sorting and preparing fresh greens in bags
Fathers Matter workshop attendees with IMVELI banner and gift bags
Youth group celebrating together at a workshop
Youth participants posing together after a session

Partners

Working alongside

  • Heartlines
  • Khulisa Solutions
  • Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape
  • Department of Health Potsdam Clinic
  • Eastern Cape Provincial AIDS Council
  • Local Businesses
  • Local and National NGOs
  • Small Project Foundation
  • National and International NGOs
  • Buffalo Metro
  • Potsdam Clinic
  • Isisombululo Solution NPO
  • Local schools
  • Faith-based organisations

Next five years

Where we're going

  • Scale HIV prevention and treatment support programmes.
  • Strengthen GBV primary prevention and response.
  • Expand food security and livelihood programmes.
  • Grow youth employment and learnership opportunities.
  • Deepen research and evidence-generation.
  • Build stronger partnerships across government, donors and private sector.