Kili Climb 2008

Hermanus Rainbow Trust

For a decade the Hermanus Rainbow Trust has been actively improving the lives of thousands of people through their upliftment and outreach projects.

The Trust has positively touched the lives of thousands of people in need.    In evaluating the role, purpose and attributes of the organisation today, it is comforting to know that we have assisted so many people with self development and the development of resources to empower communities and individuals.

The Trust was initiated in 1997 and was officially registered as a non profit making organisation in 1999.    Initially the Trust focused on the children in the community and the involvement in the development of existing educational facilities.

The crèches, over the years became fully operational Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD/Educare).  The Trust counts the establishment of a Gr R Pre-primary School, an HIV support programme and an extensive integrated Health & Social Home based Care Services among its main achievements to date.   Presently the Trust is assisting with the establishment and development of a Babies and Toddlers Centre in Stanford with the community.

Other initiatives include a Job Creation project, a Sponsor a Child Programme and an outreach to Orphans and Vulnerable children.

Training programmes based on the needs of the Educare Centres and on the needs of the community have been provided by the Trust these past ten years. These programmes have and continue to provide leadership, advocacy and education for the advancement of social, home, health and personal care services with a view to improving the lives of the less fortunate.

Today the Trust has eight voluntary Trustees, four of whom are from Zwelihle. They work at grassroots level and play an important role in identifying the needs of the community. Hands on, they monitor projects and identify where the funding is most needed.

The Trust is now operating in all the areas of the Overstrand, and now has a total staff of 75 people  -  an Administrator,  1 Financial Manager, 1 Health Manager, 1 Early Childhood Development Manager, 1 HIV/AIDS Community Programme Operations Manager, 2 Administrative Clerks, 1 General Office Clerk, 3 Nursing Co-ordinators, 40 Health Home Based Carers,  3 TB Field Workers, 1 TB/HIV/Aids Awareness and Life Skills Educator and Lay Counsellor, 10 Social Home Based Carers, 7 Grade R teachers and 1 Driver.

In order to maintain and provide a professional approach to the development  of community based health services the Trust has an Early Childhood Advisor/Trainer, a Financial Advisor and works closely with a professional Nursing Sister from the Department of Health.

Today, Health, Social Responsibility and Development have become key issues for the Rainbow Trust.   What has kept the Hermanus Trust going is that it has recognised that in order to alleviate poverty, it has been essential to take hands with committed individuals and corporates and to work together to successfully bring about transformation in poverty stricken communities.   The Trust is working in partnership with the Dept. of Health, Social Development & Education.   Their funding however, is for the projects only and does not sufficiently cover running costs, transport and human resources.   

The Hermanus Rainbow Trust would welcome your support.