Our partnership with Zimele

On March 26, a countrywide lockdown in South Africa was enacted in an effort to curb the spread of infection. During this time, the impoverished rural communities remained the most vulnerable, as the shutdown disrupted their ability to procure resources and maintain small business efforts. This put entire families and communities at risk of both food and financial insecurity. 

One Day’s Wages partnered with Zimele USA/Zimele Wethu Foundation to respond to the needs of rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal during the countrywide lockdown. The relief efforts supported 1,510 heads of households, 144 orphaned and vulnerable children, and 60 homebound patients. Zimele Wethu Foundation conducted community workshops with Zimele Clusters Groups, Social Care Projects, and Small Businesses to provide them with education on social distancing and instruction on basic hygiene such as proper hand washing techniques to help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. The foundation also provides hygiene supplies such as soap and cleaning materials and face masks made by Zimele crafters. In addition, grant funds were used to help cover supply costs of chicken farming agri-businesses and the new industries needed to support the community’s COVID-19 response.