Drivers of Change: Nqobile Valencia Nkambule – Siteki COE

Quotable quote:“ What changed my life as a Leader since I became gender aware was equally involvement of women and men on decision making, community development, sharing duties equally, respecting one another and values and fighting gender-based violence”

This lady was born and raised in Mambane a remote rural area she is uneducated and she thought she was useless and cannot bring any change to anyone. We started a training in Mambane on community development asked each lady to come out with their ideas on how best they can improve their lives, homes and their community she opened up and gave the best idea and needs that should be solved by them as a community using local resources and not entirely depending on outside help.

A touching story that can inspire others was that in Mambane community women thought that men were superior, smart and best decision makers than women but once women were trained and empowered on GBV and HIV and their rights they discovered that they can also be leader and do better when given the chance to prove themselves. Khanyisile Matsenjwa has been able to motivate and empower women to start income generating projects and also raise funds for a bore hole that feeds 80 homes and 2 primary schools.

Develop communities to better their lives and be disease free and take a stand to eliminate poverty educate empower women and girls to take ownership of their own projects and success.

We train and empower communities to prevent diseases, develop their places, educate children, raise school fees and also start small income generating projects to help them sustain themselves.

Development is not easy as relief it needs commitment, a clear vision, taking ownership and planning for sustainability of projects started in the community and team building and working together to improve your community.

Champion gender has changed my way of thinking and doing things it helped to realize that when people are given the right information and knowledge, they can make a difference in their families, communities and country at large.

my family has been peaceful and more understanding and sharing duties to allow everyone to be involved equally. The change in my life brought positive change to my institution such that even women, men, girls and boys are respected and treated equally. We trained community trainers who in turn trained family trainers to train and educate their family members and communities.