Background of the ICDP Trust

A study by the Human Sciences Research Council observed that 57 percent of individuals in South Africa live in poverty. This figure rises to 72 percent when only the population of the Eastern Cape is considered, a province which, the report also indicates, contains seven out of ten of the country’s poorest municipalities, most of them in the rural areas. The relative poverty of the Eastern Cape is confirmed by Statistics South Africa which notes that the province accommodates the highest proportion of households within the lowest income category, with 32 percent of the province’s households having to survive on an income of R200 or less per month.

Sometimes these households comprise ten or more family members and many are child-headed, with children having lost their parents to HIV/Aids. The ICDP Trust focuses on the neglected communities of Hooggenoeg, Sun City, Scotts Avenue and “Ghost Town” areas. These communities are under the Ward 10 and Ward 11 of the Makana Municipality.

According to the census taken in 2001, this community has a total population of in excess of 2000 people. Unemployment is rife and most families live on state grants. Alcohol is very destructive in the community and plays a major role in most of the social problems encountered. There are high levels of abuse and violence encountered in this community. Illiteracy rates are high and children frequently drop out of school due to pregnancy or poverty.

After gathering information from different role players in the community, the Integrated Community Development Programme (ICDP) Trust was formed in 2005. The ICDP Trust is a registered Trust (IT: 183/2005), an NPO (043-669NPO) and PBO (930016023) and therefore it has become necessary for the ICDP Trust to fundraise for the sustainability of its projects.

The ICDP Trust motto is “Because children matter”. All the children involved with the ICDP Trust are classified as “vulnerable” by local social workers and community groups – meaning that they come from backgrounds of extreme poverty, domestic violence and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

The ICDP Trust has a formal partnership with Kingswood College, an independent Methodist School, situated in Grahamstown in South Africa. It is one of a few schools in the country which is actively integrating voluntary community engagement for its learners. This partnership has added value to our work and strengthened the ICDP Trust and programmes, while giving us the credibility that strong financial management support brings. The communities of Hooggenoeg, Sun City, Scotts Avenue and “Ghost Town” flank the Kingswood College campus. The Trust however is responsible for their own fundraising, sustainability and management.

2010 has definitely been the year of partnerships and collaboration for the ICDP Trust. All projects run by the Trust focuses on improving literacy and therefore bringing some hope of making a difference to their school performance and future.