Umvoti

Success Stories from Umvoti, South Africa.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on World Vision operations

In support of public health recommendations outlined by the World Health Organization, some sponsorship program activities have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Activities may include sponsor queries and correspondence, sponsor visits, gift notifications and gift deliveries. These temporary suspensions may affect the information you receive from us in the coming weeks and months. Learn more about our response to COVID-19.

The community of Umvoti has graduated

In 2020, the community transitioned from sponsorship to self-sufficiency and World Vision is no longer on site. Because of the dedication and partnership of Canadians like you, local people and organizations have been equipped to continue leading the community’s development – and that is something to celebrate!

Community
Impact

With the help of your generous and loving support, life in Umvoti has transformed. Children and families are much stronger now. The community has met its goals, and its members are working together to tackles new ones. Your support will have a lasting impact for years to come.

The rural Umvoti (pronounced Oom-vote-ee) community is quite remote, with a population of about 120,000. Umvoti's landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, ranging from massive sandstone cliffs and valleys, to deep gorges carved out by the Umvoti River. The climate is arid, but some roads are impassable and dangerous in the rainy season. Most people live in traditional thatched dwellings.

Many families rely on subsistence agriculture, cultivating beans from January to March and then maize each September. Unfortunately, food production is low and employment opportunities are scarce. Chronic poverty makes daily life in Umvoti very challenging, and social problems include child abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, and high rates of crime. The lack of jobs means many men are forced to leave to find work in urban centres.

Thanks to the generosity of Canadian sponsors like you, life in Umvoti has improved. Your support will have a lasting impact for years to come. Let’s celebrate these accomplishments!

Education

School enrollment for children 6-18 years has increased and is currently at 91%
3,251 children received early childhood education
600 children benefitted from the distribution of bicycles, improving their access to education
79 children are benefiting from reading clubs in their respective communities
31 teachers were trained on improved teaching methods and child friendly techniques
86% of children confirmed that their parents help them with their learning, helping improve literacy.

Child Protection

72% of the households felt that their children are safe from danger and violence in their community
81% of the households felt safe reporting a suspected case of child abuse in the community

Health and Nutrition

90% of children 0 – 6 months were exclusively breastfed
The rate of HIV positive people tested declined from 11% to 6% in two years
89% of mothers of 0-59 months took their child to growth monitoring and promotion sessions
50 church leaders and 3,500 children received HIV education and training
HIV testing coverage increased from 44 % to 67% in one year
Proportion of households using safe water storage containers increased from 54% to 83% in two years
Proportion of parents or caregivers with appropriate handwashing behavior increased from 68% to 87% in two years

Livelihood

61% of households reported that they had regular income to meet their needs
Proportion of parents able to provide basic needs for their children without assistance increased from 69% to 84% in two years

*Results for this community updated for 2020

Explore Umvoti

current conditions

To protect the privacy of children, this map shows only the general area of the community, not the exact location.

Life cycle of a sponsorship community

Umvoti, is in Phase 3

PHASE 1: Building the foundation

With local leaders, we assess the community's needs and resources, plan projects to provide long term solutions. Sponsorship and development opportunities begin.