Mthimkhulu Mid- Year Report.pdf - The Grail Centre

The Grail Centre Trust
Mid-Year Report
January - June 2009
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 1

The Grail Centre Trust
Mid-Year Report
January - June 2009

Contents
Context.............................................................................................................. 6
Background....................................................................................................... 7
Objectives for 2009........................................................................................... 8
Achievements: January - June 2009............................................................................... 9
Objective 1. Deliver Job training and life skills courses……………………………....................... 9
Objective 2. Offer computer classes open to the public……………………………...................... 10
Objective 3. Offer evening Life Long Learning classes (including Abet)………..................... 11
Objective 4. Support and nuture the establishment of the Bolland FET College on site……. 12
Objective 5. Support and Alcohol and Drug Abuse programmes………………....................... 13
Objective 6. Offer a small Business Development Centre and training............................... 16
Objective 7. Support establishment of a Wooden Toy project……………………...................... 17
Objective 8. Events ……................................................................................................ 18
Objective 9. Estate Planning and Development............................................................... 19
Objective 10. Continue public visibility of Mthimkhulu Village Centre................................. 21
Conclusions.................................................................................................................. 21
Unaudited Financial Report............................................................................................ 22
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 5

MTHIMKHULU VILLAGE CENTRE
THE GRAIL CENTRE TRUST- MID YEAR REPORT 2009
Context
The Mthinkhulu Village Centre project of the Grail Centre Trust is still in its ‘pioneer stage’ of development.
Although exciting as new developments happen each day, it also comes with its challenges. It has
demanded of its small staff a degree of flexibility, creativity, and perseverance that has actually brought
out the best in them all.
We have also found we have broken through a ‘glass ceiling’ of suspicion and apathy in Kleinmond,
about the Mthimkhulu Village Centre. People from all parts of Kleinmond now know and recognize the
resource Mthimkhulu can provide to them – not just the ‘other’.
In April, a man was walking through the streets of Kleinmond after trying to find for a site to set up a
job training programme for the Industries, Education and Training Institute (a service provider for the
National Homebuilder Registration Council-NHBRC ). He stopped a person on the street and told him his
dilemma. The ‘person on the street’ said, “why, you should go to Mthimkhulu, there on 9th Street. That is
what they are doing. This man arrived at the Mthimkhulu office and a partnership was formed to deliver
job training programmes.
The Mthimkhulu Village Centre was launched just over two years ago. It grew out of the most pressing
need of the communities living in poverty: job training and job creation. This three hectare plot,
located squarely in the middle of Kleinmond, is ideally suited to build social cohesion and be a resource
for the 76% of those living in poverty that are unemployed. From the onset, The Grail realized that job
training and job creation is mainly a function of government. Therefore the Department of Labour and
the Department of Education needed to be involved as key stakeholders. This however has not been
easy, as Kleinmond is a small town and not one that is ‘glamorous’ to private funders nor government
departments that struggle with major demands in urban areas.
In 2007, we engaged with the Department of Labour to secure job training programmes, but to no avail.
In 2008, skills training programmes from the Department of Labour have been frozen as they work on a
new scheme of skills training. The Grail also began working with the Western Cape Department of Education
to set up a small Further Education and Training programme (FET) on the Mthimkhulu site. These
two government departments have finally agreed to small programmes that are listed below. However,
keeping government involved is an ongoing challenge.
The global economic meltdown, and subsequent loss of over 250,000 jobs in South Africa, raises some
critical questions for the Mthimkhulu Village Centre. Can job training really be sustainable for those living
in poverty when there is a major contraction of real jobs in the market place? We have found in 2009
in this area, that construction companies just are not hiring casual workers. During the winter months,
restaurants and retail shops are letting go of their workers.
The Grail Centre Trust, through its Training for Transformation programme will be holding a consultation
with four economists to look at future trends and its impact on job training and job creation in October
this year. We expect that we might need to revise our mission for the mid-term as we expect poverty to
deepen much further over the next 3-5 years.
At the same time, the Kleinmond social housing development is expected to begin in August, 2009. This
government programme will employ local labour, but on a short-term basis. The Mthimkhulu Village
Centre has received a grant of R2.1 million for construction of five buildings and solar and water conservation
on site. These have added much value and needed space to our on-going programme needs.
As poverty deepens, social pathologies increase. Kleinmond has always been riddled with drug abuse,
and alcoholism is so rampant that we are not able to run community programmes over the weekends
in the informal settlements. We therefore have begun an Alcohol and Drugs Anonymous programme in
May that is slowly beginning to gather momentum.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Background
In early January, a three day strategic planning workshop was held with the three programmes of the
Grail Centre Trust. The three Grail programmes; Mthimkhulu Job training and creation Programme,
Community Development Overstrand Programme and Training for Transformation programme worked
together and separately to plan the 2009 measurable objectives and activities for the year. The workshop
presented an opportunity for programmes to identify synergy between and among theiractivities
that uniquely manifest the spirit of The Grail. It was time for the three programmes to focus on their
measurable objectives.
The Mthimkhulu Village Centre Project revised its vision and mission statements and developed its
measurable objectives for 2009 that include:
Our Vision:
A safe space where all people have access to resources to grow and improve their lives
Our Mission:
To facilitate social cohesion through:
• Job Training, Life Long Learning, Life Skills, Further Education & Training and Small Medium & Micro
Business Development
• Ecological demonstration site incorporating solar power, water catchment tanks and natural resource
usage
• Cultural exchanges
• To generate income to support the Centre and its programmes in the long term
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 7

Objectives for 2009
During the January strategic planning sessions, we planned the following measurable objectives and
activities for the year.
Objective 1. Deliver Job training and life skills courses
• To deliver 4 Construction Job Training
• To deliver 4 Job Training courses for women e.g. secretarial, childcare etc
• To finalize Life skills programme and incorporate into all job training
Objective 2. Offer computer classes open to the public
• Offer computer literacy to at least 30 youth, adults and the unemployed so that they can improve their
communication skills and improve their ability to find employment
• To deliver 1 Advanced computer training course for 15 people
Objective 3. Offer evening Life Long Learning classes (including ABET)
• To complete 2 language classes – English and Xhosa
• To offer 5 LLL courses including: Home based Frail Care, First Aid, Line Dancing, Tai Chi
Objective 4. Support and nurture the establishment of the Boland FET College on site.
• To offer extra resources e.g. internet, faxing, languages, recreational activities
• To facilitate 10 parental support group meetings
Objective 5. Support an Alcohol and Drug Abuse programmes
• To raise awareness of the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse
• To provide space for meetings
• To provide a facilitator to start the process
• To hold weekly meetings for people and families affected by drug and alcohol abuse.
Objective 6. Offer a Small Business Development Centre and training
• To renovate an area for access to business resources including internet, faxing, typing and copying
• To offer courses through the Provincial ‘RED Door’ programme to interested emerging small
businesses
Objective 7. Support establishment of a Wooden Toy project
• To renovate a workshop to accommodate the project
• To employ a Manager to implement the project
• To employ a Marketer
• To implement a training programme
• To employ 3 staff to make toys
• To work towards a financially sustainable business
Objective 8. Promote the use of the space for events
• To hold 3 schools or church events
• To hold 2 festivals or community events
Objective 9. Estate planning and development
• To finalize the rezoning of Kleinmond Spatial Development Framework
• To amend the Kleinmond Zoning Scheme Regulations
• To subdivide the property into 2 erven
• To build 2 Low income houses
• To build 1 workshop
• To build 2 alternative material buildings for commercial use
• To renovate an area for the Catering Training School
• To develop an area for Craft Training
Objective 10. Continue public visibility of Mthimkhulu Village Centre
• To write 4 articles in the local newspaper
• Distribute flyers on Mthimkhulu in the town
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Achievements: January – June 2009
The following is a report of achievements and challenges on each objective for the period of January –
June 2009.
Objective 1. To offer 3 job training and life skills programmes
The following specific objectives have been our guide to delivery on this goal.
• To offer 3 job training courses by the end of June.
• Integrate Life Skills with job training courses.
In partnership with Tjeka Training Solutions and Industries Education & Training Institute, we put 39
trainees through 3 courses being Tiling, Bricklaying and Carpentry. Practical experience was gathered
through working on projects outside of the property. Successful participants are awarded with accredited
certification at the end of the training.
Life Skills Training is incorporated into all training covering:
• Looking at yourself, knowing your weaknesses and strengths
• Promoting self confidence and self esteem
• Encouraging support systems
• How to work with and manage your money.
“Immediately after the tiling course that was finished on the 28th November 2008, I was
tendered by the Municipality to do tiling in the Overstrand area. I employed 2 permanent
staff to work with me. I am very proud and happy about the trainings I have already recommend
the training to one of my colleagues to come and do painting. Thank you very much
to Mthimkhulu” Jeffrey Smith
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 9

Objective 2. Offer computer classes open to the public
• Offer computer literacy to at least 14 youth, adults and the unemployed so that they can improve
their communication skills and improve their ability to find employment
• To deliver 1 Advanced computer training course for 15 people
The computer classes continue to be very popular and certificates in basic computer skills were given
to 14 students in May. A second basic course has commenced and advanced courses are planned to the
second phase of 2009.
Challenges
Sourcing accredited training for Advanced Computers or finding affordable accredited training has proven
to be a major stumbling block due to the high costs of these programmes.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Objective 3. Offer Life Long Learning (LLL) courses that reflect the needs
and interests of residents of Kleinmond, mainly using volunteer teachers
• Offer English, Afrikaans and Xhosa language classes
• Offer ABET classes
• Offer various special interest classes.
English, Afrikaans and Xhosa classes were started earlier this year. They were initially well attended,
however the English and Afrikaans has been postponed for the winter months. The participants are
particularly fond and proud of the Xhosa facilitator, Mrs. Nolita Africa.
Life Long Learning continues with Line Dancing and Thai Chi weekly, along with specialized courses in
Home based Frail Care and First Aid Level 1.
Challenges
Making people aware that having English and Afrikaans as a second language would benefit them in
finding a job in Kleinmond and surrounding areas in order to communicate with prospective employers
and clients. Due to financial difficulties, many interested people are unable to do the First Aid and Frail
care courses. ABET has not been successfully integrated due to lack of coordination from the outside
service provider.
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 11

Objective 4. Support and nurture the establishment of the Boland FET
College on site.
In November, 2008, the Western Cape Department of Education agreed to the establishment of a small FET
College in Kleinmond. The Mthimkhulu staff had eight days to recruit potential learners to sit for the entrance
exam. Fifty-nine people came, and in January another 25 potential students sat for the exam. On 2 February,
2009, 30 students were enrolled, with three teachers and a principal. The students are highly motivated as
they know how well they do will depend on whether this FET College will continue.
The agreement is with Boland College, a well known institute. The course that is offered in a Business
Administration course that includes:
• English
• Maths
• Computer literacy
• Data capturing and other computer skills
• Life Skills
• Business practices
• Administration of an office
These skills are basic to all of our lives and the teachers are highly motivated and inspired.
The principal believes that the biggest achievement is the sense of responsibility this group feels towards
the community and surrounding areas to make this pioneer project work and keep Boland College in
Kleinmond. Another success has been to involve the parents in a monthly meeting about ‘their concerns
about being a parent in today’s world’. Discussions have ranged from keeping focused on studies, sex,
and drugs. The parents, students and staff also took part of a Saturday morning to make a volleyball
pitch, which is used often by the students. That day was fun with music, singing, and food!
Challenges
A key challenge will be to keep the students motivated to stay in the course for three years. It is also
important maintain a high level of education to the students. Language creates a barrier for some Xhosa
and Sotho speaking students, and we need to find a regular special tutor. Long term, we need to get the
interest and support of the broader community, especially future employers that might create
Internships for students
It is important to recruit the right students to ensure the success and make this ongoing project. Mthimkhulu
has been helpful in trying to create extra-curricular activities, but we need to find more avenues
for their energy. On-going funding is important to be vigilant about.
Way forward for the FET
The FET and Mthimkhulu staff met with some staff members of Boland College to plan the next intake of
30-35 students. This will be happening in the next two months. Keeping and finding excellent teachers
is also very important.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Objective 5. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programme
Alcohol and drug abuse within Kleinmond continues to grow and as a result personal growth and development
is stunted. Many organizations raised the concern on how to assist. The initiative to start a
public awareness programme with regular support groups for both alcoholics and drug addicts who want
to recover was established at Mthimkhulu in conjunction with the Kogelberg Foundation.
Kleinmond remains extremely vulnerable to substance abuse. The lack of employment opportunities,
inaccessibility to fishing quotas (the historical income), lack of parental guidance and extreme poverty
all contribute to the growth of drug and alcohol abuse. An Alcoholics Anonymous and Drugs Anonymous
programme has been initiated to offer some hope for sufferers and families.
Different group sessions started on 5-7 May as follows:
Tuesday - Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday - Drug Anonymous
Thursday - Family/Spouse support and information sessions on how to cope with, support and not
enable alcoholics/drug addicts in falling back into abuse.
Objectives
•
•
•
•
Alert people on the dangers of drugs and alcohol
Provide information for users to acknowledge they have problem
Provide resources for support groups
Run a comprehensive public awareness programme
The following programmes were delivered:
• 9 awareness workshops with parents/guardians/church groups
• 3 Adverts in Overstrand Herald –news article
• 1200 Flyers were distributed on the consequences of alcohol in Xhosa and Afrikaans
• 850 Flyers were distributed on ‘testing if I am an alcoholic” in Xhosa and Afrikaans
• 1200 Flyers were distributed on Drug Abuse in Xhosa and Afrikaans
• 54 Posters erected throughout the town in shops, public areas, clinic, and house walls
• 6 people discussed these issues in a door-to-door approach in Proteadorp, Overhills and informal
settlements
• 21 different people attend the alcohol and drug abuse evening programmes weekly
Various outreach meetings have been held in the community as follows:
• VGK Church – 68 people
• Anglican Church – 63 people
• NG Church Betty’s Bay – 65 people
• NG Church Kleinmond – 58 people
• Mountain Pleasant – 102 people
The community has rallied behind this initiative. More and more mobilization is taking place and
parents are recognizing signs and materials used to make drugs. Weekly meetings are held and well
supported.
“They seem to love the message we bring with love and compassion and Hope for the Hopeless”
said Robby Houston (facilitator) There’s one person coming from Botriver and also
one from Betty’s Bay. Soos die gesegde sê:”Plant die saadjie, gee water en wees geduldig
met die groei.” “Wees positief, glo en vertrou en God sal genees.”
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 13

Challenges
As this is an ongoing programme that needs constant public awareness. More resources will be needed
to keep the momentum going. Patience and perseverance is required when dealing with these issues
and most users are in denial. Working within different cultural environments requires an in-depth knowledge
of the day to day challenges felt by these communities. Pamphlets are not well received on Friday
or weekends. Distribution is more successful during weekday. Some of them not interested in reading
(would rather chat about issues).
Summary of courses at Mthimkhulu
Mthimkhulu continues to build bridges in the town of Kleinmond. More and more locals are participating
in the programmes offered by the Village.
TYPE OF COURSES
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
Job training
Tiling Course – 10 days 9
Bricklaying Course – 10 days 15
Carpentry Course – 24 days 15
Life Skills
Included in all Job Training
Life-Long Learning Classes
Included in all Job Training
Computer Basic – 12 hours 14
English as a second language 16
Xhosa as a second language 28
Afrikaans as a second language 7
Tai Chi 15
Line Dancing 47
Home Based Frail Care 13
First Aid 11
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Support Groups 21
211 participants
Offering space and hospitality to:
Overberg Academy 75
FET Boland College 30
Community Development Change Agents 48
LIG Youth Group 127
Child Welfare 155
House of Kings Gospel Group 75
Church Group 32
Cape Action for Protection of the Environment (CAPE) 9
Mitigating Climate Change 19
Boland FET College Parent Support Meetings 24
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Overall programme challenges
Funding remains a challenge in all the training programmes. We continue to struggle with the Department
of Labour who has still not processed any applications to training since our initial request in 2007.
The Village, as and NGO, continues to struggle to fund all job training from our budget. As we are unable
to pay a daily stipend and maintaining the numbers of trainees is difficult, but we ensure that a warm,
filling meal is available every day.
Substance abuse is affecting all sections of the community. Our drug and alcohol support initiatives
have been welcomed by the various communities and the problem is rife throughout the whole town.
Outreach programmes and mentoring sessions have been hugely successful.
“Our teacher knows how to make old people learn” Xhosa student, Miriam Kalwa.
“I am so excited to speak some words in beautiful Afrikaans” Afrikaans student &
Zimbabwean National, Nyashadashe Mazani.“Thanks Mariette and Mthimkhulu for
your help. My English improves daily” Sera
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 15

Objective 6. Offer a Small Business Development Centre and training
The specific objectives for this element of the work include:
• Create a Hub Office for small businesses to have access to electronic resources.
• Provide training and mentorship for emerging and established small businesses.
The computer room will shortly be extended to include a Small Business Hub, with internet access, fax
and copying facilities. This will also incorporate mentorship for business assistance such as financial assistance,
quoting, marketing and general business management.
A local resident has been identified to drive this initiative and some equipment sourced so that the
project is envisioned to start early in July. Several Kleinmond residents are offering their services to
mentor new small businesses. This will be further developed in the second half of the year, along with
a training programme.
Challenges
Limited resources and lack of funding remains a challenge for setting up this project. Ultimately the
project must be self-sustaining; however it must also be affordable to small business, which will mean
that many services will need to be heavily subsidized.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Objective 7. Initiate a Small wooden toy project
Mthimkhulu Wooden Toys is a project to create quality educational wooden toys, puzzles and tourist
crafts under the supervision of experienced trainers. The project aims to focus on new venture creation
and skills training as a key vehicle through which to create job opportunities and alleviate poverty.
Through incorporating skills development in woodworking, business training and life skills, the project
provides a well rounded skills base to ensure sustainability.
Objectives
•
•
•
Create a Wooden Toy Project which will develop into a small business opportunity
Provide training in woodwork and business development
Provide access to markets and generate orders
Achievements
The project initially started off slowly as a market feasibility study was undertaken, funding was sourced
and prototypes finalized. The workshop has now been set up and a certified training course commenced
on 22 June. An interim Manager has been appointed, as well as a marketing person. Ten initial prototypes
have been developed and well as supporting marketing collateral. This project has also been
embraced by local woodworkers who have offered resources and advice as well as wood off cuts.
Challenges
As the project must be set up to be a self-sustaining small business with a large training aspect, it has
been imperative that the ground work is comprehensive. The challenge is to successfully implement
three prong approach including:
• managing the set up of the project,
• initiating training and
• entering the market place.
All of these components need vision and management at the same time. This project must generate an
income in a very short time and the challenge will be to access orders, ensure quality is of the highest
standard and continue to meet new market needs from the outset.
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 17

Objective 8. Events
As more and more residents and businesses in Kleinmond come to appreciate the Mthimkhulu Village
Centre site, we have found we can hardly keep up with the bookings of classrooms, meeting spaces,
the amphitheatre, and workshop areas. Our objective was to create a space for social cohesion to build
within the town. We believe we have broken through people’s suspicions and apathy.
Objectives
•
•
Provide the facility and resources for schools and community groups
Co-ordinate Public Meetings
The first few months of the year have seen the facility grow in use by church groups and schools. These
include
• LIG Youth Group makes use of the premises every Friday evening for approximately 100 boys, aged
7 to 18. Their programme includes leadership, role-playing, team orientated games and general
entertainment
• Mthimkhulu held an Open Public meeting with over 150 people to update residents of Kleinmond and
at the same time inform about the Boland FET College and award over 50 certificates to successful
job trainees and computer graduates
• The Amphitheatre is used by various groups for practice for events and festivals.
• During the coming school holidays, three youth groups will rotate through the Village using all facilities.
• Planning continues for a December festival.
Challenges
The biggest challenge remains the entrance to the Village. Once the gates are opened the face of the
Village will be renewed. Weather is also a challenge, but having the Kogelberg Shed as a back up
allows planning without too much concern. More resources also need to be made available for sound
systems.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Objective 9. Estate planning and development
As an NGO and not a commercial developer who gets loans from banks and then just drops a retail mall
onto a plot, we have been on a very high learning curve to get all of the layers of permissions to build
and develop the site. There are more than 10 stages in the actual construction on a site. Once one has
one permission from either the Municipality or the Province, we are told, now we need to get another
permission. We started this process in 2007 and still in 2009 do not have all of the permits required to
finish the construction needed.
Construction at Mthimkhulu has been made possible through grants from Porticus (a Dutch funder) and
the Department of Science & Technologies. This grant is administered through CSIR and the Overstrand
Municipality. The grant includes the construction of 5 buildings, solar energy to power all of our electrical
needs, and rainwater catchments. Besides the construction, we are committed to find appropriate
tenants to rent space and develop the site for small businesses.
Objectives
•
•
•
•
•
Complete rezoning, amended Spatial Development Framework and subdivision
Commence DST /CSIR Buildings and renovations
Explore new tenant opportunities with emphasis on green, healthy, local need
Explore maximum usage of existing buildings.
Develop Catering Training School
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve Company remains a good tenant and has since developed an area in
their offices to showcase the Biosphere and educate visitors.
The Department of Science and Technologies grant to construct five buildings is progressing. Because
of planning permissions, only 3 buildings have commenced, but it is expected that the last 2 will be
completed by the end of 2009.
We continue to explore various new tenant options with the emphasis on “green, healthy and local need”.
The following have been completed:
• The long awaited Environmental Impact Assessment was finalized approved and Removal of Restrictions
duly completed.
• Local engineers have been commissioned to monitor all buildings and progress.
• Construction of one workshop and 2 demonstration houses are almost complete.
Challenges
We are awaiting finalization of all planning permissions from local and provincial government to start
more construction. Once this process is complete many of the planned activities can go into full swing,
including opening the front gate. The estate is large with many maintenance needs. This falls heavily
onto our operating budget and will continue to grow as the property develops. Due to the
delays in permissions, we have been unable to initiate the Catering Training School. This project
remains high priority for the second half of 2009.
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 19

Objective 10. Continue public visibility of Mthimkhulu Village Centre
We have managed to enable residents in the community to understand what the Mthimkhulu Village
Centre can mean for them. During this period, we have had:
• four articles appear in the local newspaper
• had five advertisements in the paper
• produced and distributed 10,000 brochures entitled: “The 10 most asked questions about Mthimkhulu”
of which 3,000 were distributed house-to-house, 2,500 were inserted into the local newspaper
and 800 placed in local postboxes.
• 1,000 copies of the general Mthimkhulu brochures distributed in public places
We believe these efforts were part of the turning points in breaking through the ‘glass ceiling’ of acceptability
in the town.
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Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

Conclusions
Patience is not only a virtue; it is an essential ingredient to development that is organic and holistic. In
2007, a woman who started an inner city University in Dublin, Ireland visited Mthimkhulu with the
director of the St. Patrick’s Trust. When we lamented the slow start of job training programme and
getting funding for construction, she said, “but that is the way these things happen. When we started
the university, no one came, it was dead. But slowly, we kept offering courses and adapting to the
community needs, and then suddenly, the whole place was filled with life and activities. We now have
university courses at our centre. This programme will happen. Just keep up the work.”
What perfect advice that has been for us.
There are three critical areas that will need constant attention at the Mthimkhulu Village Centre: the
growth and sustainability of the FET College, creating sustainable jobs and job training for local people,
and a vibrant hub of activity that crosses cultures and income groups.
Sustaining the FET College will be a long-term challenge. The Department of Education has warned
us that there are concerns that FET Colleges should be hubs with 300 or more students. This would
prove a disaster for small, semi-rural towns. It also would again drive young people into mega-cities.
Continuing the funding after 2011 will need support and work in 2009. The government bureaucracy is
slow and tied up in political and budgetary constraints.
Creating sustainable jobs and job training is not easy in small towns. With the economic meltdown,
this will even be more challenging. Finding niches of products, small businesses that need a site, and/
or attracting new ventures to a small town will be an on-going work. This part of the work might merit
a part-time consultant to work with government and private sector entities to access additional funding
and service providers.
Mthimkhulu staff members are well respected throughout the town and area. The challenge is that there
is so much potential, but our staff is quite stretched. Although there are times when we all think more
staff could help, but then with more staff, it would mean an increase in the annual budget. With the
economic meltdown, this may not be possible in the near future.
Ultimately, it is planned that the rental of space and retail shops will be able to finance the job training
and other educational programmes. This will need continuous thinking and planning to ensure a
self-reliant and sustainable project.
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 21

Grail Trust: Mthimkhulu Village Centre Operating Costs
Unaudited Accounts as at 31 May 2009
Jan 09 Feb 09 Mar 09 Apr 09 May 09
Year-to-
Date
INCOME
Operating Funds b/fw from 2008 -461,374.00 -461,374.00
Nussbaum 0.00 -400,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -400,000.00
Kogelberg Foundation 0.00 0.00 -20,000.00 0.00 0.00 -20,000.00
Overstrand Mun-Job Skills Train 0.00 0.00 -100,000.00 0.00 0.00 -100,000.00
Donations Income (St Georges) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -5,000.00 -5,000.00
Bank Interest Earned -19.80 -18.17 -404.64 -357.35 0.00 -799.96
Rental Income -2,428.16 -7,913.24 -7,748.08 -1,580.00 -5,100.00 -24,769.48
Learner’s Fees 0.00 0.00 -3,014.00 -550.00 -3,368.00 -6,932.00
Sundry Income (to be reallocated) -2,168.60 -5,678.89 0.00 0.00 -3,795.02 -11,642.51
INCOME TOTAL -465,990.56 -413,610.30 -131,166.72 -2,487.35 -17,263.02 -1,030,517.95
EXPENSES
Salaries 41,188.14 49,559.28 61,101.07 49,996.39 52,709.28 254,554.16
Salaries Other 2,525.00 1,560.00 400.00 200.00 20,000.00 24,685.00
Staff Training 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Staff Evaluation (Job scaling) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,063.85 2,063.85
Staff Recruitment 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,950.00 1,326.00 7,276.00
PROGRAMME COSTS
Drug & Alcohol Abuse 0.00 0.00 552.63 1,100.00 5,350.00 7,002.63
SMME Training & Support 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Job Training 0.00 0.00 22,694.62 0.00 26,025.95 48,720.57
Computer Training 0.00 0.00 2,400.00 0.00 0.00 2,400.00
Life Long Learning 0.00 0.00 7,220.68 850.00 6,925.00 14,995.68
Boland FET 195.10 1,596.42 1,414.81 1,161.45 21.93 4,389.71
Events 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Holiday Programme 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Staff Travel (Nandi - CIE) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,175.00 2,175.00
Staff Vehicles 0.00 0.00 0.00 287.50 0.00 287.50
Grail Vehicles 905.14 150.00 1,165.60 0.00 300.00 2,520.74
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
Advertising, Publicity & Flyers 40.00 0.00 920.00 195.00 78.95 1,233.95
Audit & Accounting Fees 3,000.00 0.00 5,580.00 4,000.00 0.00 12,580.00
Bank Charges 682.27 322.80 401.33 701.33 560.78 2,668.51
Computer Repairs & Maintenance 0.00 0.00 2,642.10 1,425.31 1,171.05 5,238.46
Consultants 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Depreciation
Electricity, Gas, Water & Refuse
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Removal 3,296.01 2,359.08 2,031.62 2,443.80 2,714.43 12,844.94
Equipment rental 0.00 129.83 0.00 0.00 0.00 129.83
Grail Board Meetings 0.00 0.00 57.02 1,547.50 0.00 1,604.52
Hospitality 0.00 0.00 569.00 0.00 405.63 974.63
Insurance 2,496.83 2,496.83 2,496.83 2,496.83 2,496.83 12,484.15
Open Meetings 0.00 0.00 1,081.66 0.00 0.00 1,081.66
Office Equipment 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 440.00 440.00
Planning Meetings & Workshops 2,410.40 0.00 55.00 0.00 90.13 2,555.53
Postage & Courier 53.95 0.00 192.98 117.63 531.94 896.50
Printing & Photocopying 21.05 1,674.80 0.00 1,100.00 8,496.49 11,292.34
Rates & Taxes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Refreshments & Staff Get-togethers 74.70 235.35 354.22 101.60 765.87
Report Writing (Annual reports) 0.00 5,278.00 0.00 0.00 84.21 5,362.21
Security - Premises 909.65 866.67 866.67 866.67 1,586.62 5,096.28
Software 0.00 0.00 2,192.11 0.00 0.00 2,192.11
Stationery & Office Supplies 390.67 2,542.64 4,220.96 3,313.93 1,902.87 12,371.07
Telephone; Fax & e-mail 478.56 370.11 7,598.84 -2,717.98 5,987.00 11,716.53
Sundry expense (to be reallocated) 8,611.25 0.00 0.00 406.00 3,432.93 12,450.18
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
Buildings 120.00 3,008.16 2,051.49 2,137.01 1,807.71 9,124.37
Fittings & Equipment 7,723.83 1,245.31 45.00 7,660.42 1,272.99 17,947.55
Grounds 0.00 706.86 1,482.98 0.00 2,079.40 4,269.24
Solar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 75,122.55 74,102.14 131,789.22 85,340.39 152,036.97 518,391.27
Funds available -390,868.01 -339,508.16 622.50 82,853.04 134,773.95 -512,126.68
22
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009

The Grail Board of Directors (2008-10)
Bulelwa Ngewana (chair)
Programme Manager for Independent Development Trust and presently Africa Programme Manager of
the Centre for Conflict Resolution (UCT)
Colleen Crawford-Cousins (vice-chair)
Is an organisation development specialist and curriculum and materials developer who works as a
consultant to the public sector and NGO's. Based in Cape Town, she has focused for the last four years
on the energy sector and on natural resource management in national parks.
Anne E. Hope (secretary)
Co-author of Training for Transformation, founder of DELTA training Kenya, founder of DELTA Women’s
Training Programme (Cape Town), staff of SADEP (UWC)
Petra Frith (treasurer)
Chartered accountant and works with two NGOs as their accountant and financial advisor.
Ruth Mattison (member)
Formerly Human Resource manager at Old Mutual and presently a private consultant on organizational
development and development of small businesses.
Tantaswa Gabevu (member)
Formerly a fundraiser with Aids Response. Currently counselor with RAPCAN.
Sally Timmel (ex officio)
Co-founder of Kenyan DELTA Training Programme, co-author of Training for Transformation, Founder
of Gender Advocacy Programme, founder of Fair Share, a unit of the School of Government (UWC),
currently programme coordinator of Grail programmes.
Ntombi Nyathi (staff representative, Training for Transformation Coordinator)
Alison Coughlan (staff representative, Mthimkhiulu Village Centre)
Mthimkhulu mid-year report 2009 23

It takes a whole village
to raise a child.
24 Mthimkhulu Village mid-year Centre report 9th Avenue 2009 Kleinmond Tel: +27 (0) 28 271 5213 Fax: +27 (0) 28 271 5639