TransCape NPO, South Africa

We are in a unique situation to help people living around us, suffering hardship mainly because of a lack of knowledge and understanding, in an area on our earth where basic human living standards are a far cry short of what most of you reading this, have become to accept as natural. Help us balance things out. A world without equality would always be a world without peace and harmony.

TransCape is based in Rural Eastern Cape, Ngqeleni District, the poorest area in South Africa. It was started by the owners of Mdumbi Backpackers and Doctors working at Canzibe Hospital in answer to all the challenges faced by the people living in the area. TransCape is based in the area where it is active and managed by the people living there, supported by international volunteers and expertise. This area forms part of a previous homeland. Therefore our government has its hands full to get health services, municipal infrastructure and educational opportunities into place. TransCape actively support this developmental process.

The area is populated by more or less 180 000 people. Of these people about 45 000 are HIV positive but only 6000 of them are at this moment aware of it. This means only 14% of the people that need to be on treatment, are on treatment, the other 86% will only find out when it’s already to late.

 As part of our HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, we do fun filled soccer tournaments where all kinds of prizes can be won and anyone can go for a HIV test, reaching deep into the rural areas. Winning teams of these tournaments will go through to the TransCape Rural Soccer World Cup of which the final play-offs are on the weekend of 7-8 August 2010. Anyone testing positive at our HIV/AIDS Prevention events are drawn into our HIV/AIDS Support Program through which they are introduced to our HIV/AIDS Treatment Program.

We further support our government with Health Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrades at Canzibe Hospital and surrounding Clinics, a Malnutrition Center and a Children in Need Program.

Only 8% of people living in the area are employed. An average family lives on R300,00 per month. With all the valuable resources in the area, TransCape stimulate the growth of a local economy through our interest free Micro-Finance Program, Product and Services Development Program and Tourism and Agricultural Development.

With all the extremely bright and inquisitive children and young adults around, we spread the knowledge with our Education Program. This entails establishing accessible Pre Schools, an After School Enrichment Program, Adult Educational Training and Scholarships Program.

Thanks for your interest in helping to make our world a better place. Maybe we see you one day at Mdumbi Backpackers, apparently the Mdumbi Beach is the best beach in Southern Africa.

 The Chairperson,

Hyman van Zyl