Ecolink

Partner(s):

Ecolink is a non profit public benefit organization situated in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga that works in response to the needs of vulnerable societies confronted with problems like HIV/AIDS, food security, erosion of social fabric through crime, poor health, joblessness and isolation due to their remote dwellings. Ecolink’s intervention consists of capacity building through community driven development activities that are underpinned by a firm foundation of environmental awareness and education. This entails skills training in trench gardening and permaculture; thus supporting development, growth and sustainability. More information on Ecolink is available on their website http://www.ecolink.co.za

Our Involvement:

SAIE complements and reinforces Ecolink’s agribusiness-oriented approach to capacity building. Beneficiary communities at grassroots level acquire the business techniques infused through AgriPlanner through Ecolink’s trainers who have gone through SAIE training. The 7 Ecolink facilitators who are SAIE trained have a long-term mandate to continue with community training thereby perpetuating an incremental skills buildup in the communities.

Project Progress:

Seven facilitators were trained during 2006, with 75 workbooks and 5 Agriplanner kits issued. During 2006, the organization experienced a severe funding crisis. It was not able to implement AgriPlanner to the extent it had wanted to. During April and May 2007, five of the Ecolink facilitators trained 75 community members during three five-day workshops. The workshops were conducted at the Ecolink training centre. Community members cultivate, among other, cabbage, spinach and onions. One of the groups is supplying the Hazyview Spar with its crops (as available).

Funder:

Product:

Agri Planner

Location:

Mpumalanga