The idea of sustainability as it pertains to VOVCOF encompasses our ideal to intervene in ways that help the community build resilience and better enable itself to carve a thriving future.
Below are some of our key sustainability projects:
Low-Cost, High-Quality Eco-Housing
The aim of this project is to provide low-cost, high-quality, eco-housing for the community of Mgidza in Vuvulane, eSwatini. The foundational principle behind this project is the conviction that every child deserves a beautiful and safe home.
The children of Mgidza, Vuvulane are faced with harsh life realities. Through the unfortunate circumstances that they were born into a situation of poverty whereby their basic human rights are compromised: limited food, shelter, health, education, and clothing. Most of the children and their families, at Mgidza, do not have adequate homes: homes that are safe, healthy, and beautiful. The high unemployment rate, amongst the youth, also hinders the development of Vuvulane, thus perpetuating petty crime, alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.
The low-cost eco-housing sanctuary can be a critical anchor in a tumultuous world as the child navigates the world to find their path to success.
Our project vision is an ideal that is not in isolation but aligns with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, goal 11 and 13; ‘11- Sustainable Cities and Communities – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable,’ and ‘13 – Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.’ It is also an ideal that aligns well with Eswatini’s Economic Strategic Road Map 2019-2023: ‘Priority III – Infrastructure, Investment & Innovation: Focus on renewable energy: deliver solar and biomass industries.’ The project’s focus on ecologically harmonious methods of building and living will hopefully bring to focus, and demand for renewable energy and sustainable practices.
Low-Cost Eco-Housing Gallery
Download the report on the Low-Cost Eco-Housing Project (11 MB)
Soup Kitchen & Community Organic Food Gardens
Good food is the essence of our survival. VOVCOF has been spearheading the importance of having organic food gardens in the community. We currently have a food garden that serves the vegetable needs of our soup kitchen and then there are more than 50 backyard gardens that we assisted in setting up in the community. It is about food sovereignty and the ability of each home to live off the land.
The recent introduction of raising organic chickens, as a business for selling the chickens, is another way of making sure that the community, especially women, become more financially independent.
Solar Energy
We partnered with Namene Solar, who provided us with solar lamps to distribute to children living in households with insufficient power access.
These solar lamps help them complete their homework after sun sets.
VOVCOF has helped install a solar cellphone charger in the community, which has proved to be especially popular with the youth.