Sustainability is a Key Word in Development

It is usually used to connote acceptance by the local community as opposed to a foreigner's idea of what should occur. It also refers to financial underpinnings for a project, but usually it is assumed that projects will need financial support from abroad for an indefinite time.

We have stumbled into what appears to be a sustainable project.

We have transferred operations at the day to day level to our South African partner organization, HIVSA. They interview children and families, candidates for staff (and re-interview former counselors who want to return), and run each camp. They also run the Kids Clubs. It is very exciting to have them exhibit the expertise and care for the entire project.

While we are still a little bit away from owning our own facility (we are currently renting for each camp), I think our own site will provide a substantial increase in our operations (more camps, more weekend workshops), and will provide important revenues to support at least part of the camp operations.

There is a great demand for large group rental sites and we could meet part of that demand in the times when we are not running camps and will also be bale to provide jobs that would enable us to retain valuable members of our staff, who are now employed solely for camp and Kids Clubs.

Share/Save/Bookmark
Last Updated on Saturday, 17 October 2009 19:54