A Message from Phakamani’s Founders
No child should go hungry
“He who is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord” Prov 9:17
When a child just 15kms from your home, tells you that the worst part of his day is going to bed hungry then feeling weak at school the next day because he had no breakfast either, you’re faced with a choice. When you realize this child is one of hundreds of thousands, it becomes a dilemma. The creation of Phakamani is our personal response to this dilemma and our passion for this work is what we want to share with you.
We were faced with these statistics:
- 42% of South Africans survive on less than $2 a day
- 33% of adults are unemployed
- 35% of those who are employed exist on less than R500 ($75) / month
- 30% of mothers visiting anti-natal clinics are HIV-positive
- 54% of children live in poverty
Teaching parents how to fish
The silver lining in all of this is that many of these people have the skills to lift themselves out of poverty but lack the means and coaching to do so.
We have therefore started an organisation that will not only feed some of these people, but more importantly will give them the tools to provide their own food. Our vision is to provide the poor, who have sound micro-enterprise ideas, with capital and guidance to help them get themselves out of poverty.
Based on the methods of the Nobel Prize winning Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, micro loans are provided to select people with existing microenterprises or good new business ideas. These people share a common desire to change their circumstances but they have few assets and lack either working or start-up capital. Successful loan applicants are placed into groups of five to both monitor and support each other. Every month, eight of these groups meet collectively to receive practical skills training, pay loans and deposit money into a compulsory savings plan. Spiritual guidance is also offered but is not compulsory to be part of the program. Successful borrowers who pay back their loans in a timely fashion are eligible to take out new loans at a higher value and will continue to receive coaching and group support.
Our wish
If Phakamani Foundation is to become known as a light in the darkness, bringing hope from despair, we will have achieved our hearts desire and been faithful to the words from Isaiah 58 v 7-10 “….I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help… Feed the hungry, help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.”
We are excited about bringing hope to hurting people. If this endeavour makes your heart beat a little faster and you would consider being a part of this dream, we would be delighted. Whether it is to pray, give or to do both, please let us know.
Sincerely.
Mark and Shirley Tucker
Founders of Phakamani Foundation
