Blog Action Day - Poverty - Thembalethu

The Hummingbird Project was started to help support groups in moving beyond surviving, to thriving. The main focus has been to raise monies for Thembalethu Welfare Society, a registered non-profit in Harding-Natal, South Africa. When we first came to the location, during apartheid, children were living in the forests, eating feces. The basics of having a roof over their head have lead to children growing up nourished, protected, and guided to becoming productive members of society.

Thembalethu is currently in need of hiring a person to head up the organization for minimum 3 years. There is the capability of a running brick making factory on site for revenue, along with the farm vegetables. I would love to hear from people with experience in hydroponics, as there is a river running through the property. Read more here about an inspiring Zulu couple.

Money, shoes, and school uniforms are needed. Of course, if you are interested in relocating to this beautiful, remote spot, and have the skills to run an orphanage/school/farm...this could be the position for you.


This 'hill' contains 40,000 bricks made from the local soil. It happens to be prime brickmaking mud. The bricks are fashioned in this circular, beehive style, and a fire is lit in the center. Mud is caked to the outside to retain heat. After two weeks, the fire has cured the mud, and the pyre is dissssembled. The bricks closest to the center come out blue/black and are very, very hard. These are used for exteriors. A working factory is laid out but not fully functional. This could be a source of revenue for the home.


Back in the day - separate bathrooms, phone booths, sidewalks...


A Xhosa child 'waxes' the floor with cow dung.


Keep South Africa Tidy!


The producers of said wax buildup.