Ikemele (meaning “to rise up” in local language Tswana) is a 6 month sponsorship program created to empower vulnerable women with the skills training, practical help and psycho-social support needed to become financially independent & in charge of their own futures.
Gender-based violence in our community is bred by traditional culture of patriarchy and a lack of economic opportunities for women living in poverty. We are dealing with the following challenge:
- 51% of South African women have experienced domestic violence.
- A woman is killed by her partner every 6 hours, making intimate partner violence the leading cause of death for female homicide victims.
- Only 1 in 9 rapes are reported, but it is estimated that over 40% of South African women will experience rape in their lifetime.
- Gender based violence cases have tripled during COVID-19 national lockdowns.
- Over 30% of black women in South Africa are unemployed.
- For every R1 a male South African earns, a woman earns 7 cents.
Vulnerable women's lives are at the hands of their abusers - but we can help them rise above their situation and become independent.
The holistic 6 month Ikemele program offers:
- Weekly support groups & one-on-one counselling sessions
- Life skills, human rights & GBV awareness education
- Technical skills training in Computer Literacy, Sewing & Beading or Cashier & Merchandising
- Social relief including parcels, transport fare to classes, clothing & baby goods donations & referrals to support services
After graduation, we connect her to local employment opportunities or help her plan, seed fund & launch a small business. Ikemele graduates also become part of the Ikemele Alumni, a network to encourage further relationship building & support. This holistic approach addresses every barrier a woman might face in successfully accessing our services and becoming all that she was meant to be!
Can you invest with us in a woman determined to improve her life?
This life changing program is solely reliant on donations from individuals and corporates. Please consider sponsoring a women for our next intake, or making a monthly contribution to the program. Every bit counts - together, we can create the change we need to see in the world!
We have a dream to sponsor 10 women by our next intake - can you help us?
Visit our dedicated program web page here:
http://www.lesedilabatho.co.za...
Or follow us on social media!
www.facebook.com/lesedilabatho