Since 2000, Umbono has been forging strong relationships with important players involved in the rural upliftment of disadvantaged people in Zululand, South Africa.<\/FONT><\/SPAN><\/P>\n

1) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>The Department of Health as well as personal interaction with the top managerial staff of all the five big regional hospitals as well as the senior medical staff. Umbono has built, and been involved in the development of, rural clinics and continues in this regard. The need remains for much more development in this regard.<\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

2) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>Local municipalities which include the Hlabisa, uMhlabuyalingana, and <\/SPAN>uMkanyakude<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>Municipalities<\/SPAN>. The scope here is huge and includes all forms of rural development such as schools, libraries, tertiary education facilities, business development, infrastructure upgrade, etc.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

3) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>State run Wildlife department, Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife. Much of the Umbono focus is in this field as the best hope of job creation is linked to wildlife based tourism and is directly related to tourism and lodges. Umbono is positioned to build 10 new lodges which will ensure sustainable job creation. For this to happen, lodge development funds are needed. Related to this point is an incentive to the communities to use their land for conservation. Money is needed to lease land from the communities in perpetuity so that conservation land can be increased, even across borders (<\/SPAN>Mozambique<\/SPAN>) to ensure viable elephant and other species populations which will create attractive tourism ventures.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

4) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>The regional mercy air\/flying doctor service known as ZUMAT. ZUMAT - The mercy flights are a major humanitarian outreach to help in emergencies as well as getting regular medical help to\/from remote areas.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

5) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>The Home Based Care organization which assists with a hospice type care for the rural aged as well as those affected and infected with AIDS. Home Based Care and Life Skills training form a big part of Umbono\'s humanitarian community outreach. This involves trained staff giving health and social assistance to the needy, and the life skills programs involved teaching the youth how to live healthy lifestyles.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

6) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>The local Tembe king and royal family, as pertains to tribal issues and development, and the local headmen, as pertains to grass roots level problems and needs of the remote communities. Umbono\'s relationships with the local leaders have been developed through the building of trust, and also through listening to the problems encountered by the people on the ground. By having the support of these local leaders Umbono has the ability to really help in these areas and this in fact has happened as endorsed by the results we have thus far achieved.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

7) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>Non-government organizations with similar visions for community upliftment in the areas of local schools, day care centers and higher institutions of learning. Umbono\'s working with non-government organizations ensures that work nor expenses are duplicated. Umbono\'s work with institutions of education is well documented, and continues to go from strength to strength. This work includes the actual building of schools, to teaching pupils, as well as supplying school material (books) as well as equipment.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

8) <\/FONT><\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Trans-frontier initiatives such as game reserves which conserve the natural resources where larger tracts of land can far better offer sustainable jobs on a large scale than smaller areas. (see point on elephant range expansion.<\/FONT>

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9) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>Government departments who are involved in rural areas and rural deficiencies, such as agriculture, environmental affairs, tourism, veterinary. The government has money and expertise, and Umbono lobbies these groups on behalf of the communities who often do not know their rights and thus do not access the support available to them.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

10) <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/SPAN>Vocational upliftment - e.g. people donating their professional time to work in these remote areas, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, etc. The Umbono vision turns full circle when we have people coming to these remote areas and they pay to stay in the community game lodges and enjoy their stay in the beautiful areas which these people have set aside to ensure job creation opportunities. While visiting these areas they are exposed to the cultural heritage as well as the rural problems, and where possible help resolve these problems by either using their skills or finances.<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P>\n

As a result, Umbono has staff earmarked for positions which need to be filled once the finances are in place. This will ensure the vision which we have worked at for so long and, which has already borne fruit, will expand to its full potential.<\/FONT><\/SPAN><\/P>\n

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