Bontlebame, operating from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, is run by one passionate woman Kea Modise-Moloto who wants to see South African girl children reach for their dreams. The organisation, which has been in existence for over 10 years, advocates for the well-being of the girl child.
The impact of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions has made a great impact on community organisations like Bontlebame.
The other benefits of planting trees, according to the foundation, is that the biodiversity of urban areas drastically increases, while providing habitat for birds and small animals, and supplying fresh fruit and welcome shade to people in the community.
The organisation was started by businesswoman and community builder Kea Modise-Moloto about 11 years ago with the aim to remind people, especially young girls and women that they possess beauty inside out.
Modise-Moloto said since the start of the lockdown, the organisation hasn’t managed to host the events or plan projects she and the team would normally organise.
“We don’t meet with the girls because we don’t want anyone to contact or spread the virus,” she said.
Modise-Moloto explained that the organisation had to adapt to new ways of communicating with the young girls who are part of the organisation.
“We try and use technology, we use things like Facebook and WhatsApp but the challenges we face are access to either buy data or in some areas there are limited Wi-Fi and internet connectivity. We as the team have to sometimes use our own money or ask from our networks (including business local people,” she explained.
The organisation which has a footprint in KwaZulu-Natal and in Pretoria townships such as Soshanguve has been relying mostly on donations to run its activities, remotely.
“Many young girls in townships, like in rural areas, lack confidence and it is rare for them to be told that they are beautiful hence we wanted to focus on these areas. We want to see young girls loving themselves and understanding that they are beautiful, inwardly and outwardly,” Modise-Moloto explained.
Through seminars, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring, many young girls and women are made to value themselves more.
These projects need funding, which was already a challenge before the virus was discovered, organisations like Bontlebame relied on businesses to make sure that the work continues.
“We haven’t been able to get as many donors and sponsors as we would have in 2019, some of our projects had to fall back which means some girls won’t be getting things like sanitary pads,” she said
Apart from mentoring and coaching programmes, the organisation would ask community members and businesses to donate things like sanitary pads, toiletries, and other necessities.
“But now we have to shift our focus from that and think of ways we can provide food and school uniforms for them as some of their parents are not working. For now, we have to make sure that they are focused on school and passing with good grades amid this very difficult time we are all in” Modise-Moloto said.
Just after the organisation was launched, the white beaded ribbon project was established.
According to Modise-Moloto, the ribbons are handmade by unemployed women and sold to businesses and other organisations as a fundraiser. This project too had to be halted because of these regulations.
She said making profits from the white beaded ribbons project has been difficult for a long time because businesses are not so keen to drive messages against abuse. It’s been a project that is supported mostly during 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from November 20 to December 10. The project has gone completely quiet during this time of Covid-19.
“Not only was it financially assisting these women who, some are single mothers raising children, the ribbons were also meant to serve as a reminder that we are against the abuse that some of these women, their children and many others out there who face all forms of abuse,” she said.
The project is also used as a tool to drive messages that condemn women and child abuse through a partnership Modise-Moloto has formed with local bikers.
“The aim is to spread the message against abuse of the vulnerable; in all spaces, all environments at all times. The Beaded White Ribbon is the voice of the victims and also increases awareness of our stance against abuse,” Modise-Moloto said.
Being the optimistic and praying woman that Modise-Moloto is when asked how she thinks organisations like hers will survive, she said: “We started the organisation with nothing but a vision. We keep praying that things change for all of us and other organisations that are doing work that helps people of South Africa.”
Editor’s Note
What Kea Modise-Moloto is trying to do should inspire us all to want the same opportunities afforded to boy children to also be afforded to girl children. South Africa, like many countries, still has a lot to do when it comes to addressing past imbalances, especially when it comes to making sure that young girls get the same treatment and opportunities like access to education and business support should they want to venture into entrepreneurship instead of academics. Modise-Moloto’s relentless efforts to making sure that girls who are part of her project get the help they need should be commended.
Thato Mahlangu
Editor
