Bernie Dolley

Contact information: phone: 27.41.585.0970; e-mail: ikhalatrust@telkomsa.net

Organization: The Ikhala Trust was created in 2002.

Organization’s biography: Founded in 2002, “Ikhala” is the isiXhosa word for “aloe” in English. Aloe is indigenous to the Eastern Cape, where the Trust partners with stakeholders to uplift and support small community-based initiatives in the most disadvantaged areas of the Eastern Cape province. The Trust has provided small grants to more than 140 grassroots organizations for HIV/AIDS prevention and economic development in South Africa. The Trust also provides technical assistance and training on organizational and resource development topics through workshops, seminars and conferences.

Mott grants through 2009: Four grants totaling $445,000 since 2003.

What the Ikhala Trust is doing during the World Cup: Knowing that areas in and around the cities in the Eastern Cape will be buzzing with thousands of people, which means extremely busy traffic and often congestion, our staff will visit most of our rural-based projects because people in these areas will not be involved in the World Cup activities. We conducted a pre-World Cup survey with 15 grantee organizations about their involvement and feelings toward the World Cup and will return to the same organizations to conduct post-World Cup conversations.

My most meaningful place in South Africa:  Despite the challenges facing the Eastern Cape, I think the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, those areas around the Wild Coast, particularly those areas which are still unspoiled, have got to be my favorite. Here you can find the most awesome landscape. It is always lush and green and stretches for miles and miles – as far as the eye can see. The accommodations and food are very affordable – and the people are amazing!

Organization contact info:

P.O. Box 210957
The Fig Tree
Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Phone: 27.41.585.0970
E-mail: ikhalaadmin1@telkomsa.net
Web site: www.ikhala.org.za