Zisize - The Heaton Lee Memorial Trust raises funds to support the work of projects in rural KwaZulu Natal. At present this is restricted to Zisize (Ingwavuma) Educational Trust whose motto is 'Children First'. Its focus has always been ‘the child’ . Its desire is to see an improvement in the life of each child it touches.

• via activities based at Zisize Centre, which either benefit children directly or through their teachers
• via activities based at schools and in communities
• by encouraging other organisations and volunteers to play a role in improving children’s quality of life.

Current Projects - see www.zisize.org for detail

Zisize Centre at Ingwavuma, which runs a preschool class, creche, library, after school play facility, a homework and study group and holiday play schemes and offers facilities to teachers for lesson preparation and study.

Zisize Centre at Manyiseni, built in May 2004 with a donation from graduate trainees of the Diamond Trading Company in London and equipped by them. This currently runs an after school play scheme, lending library service, study group, life skills group and crèche for 2 to 4 year olds.

Ekukhanyeni Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children at Majwayiza, which currently cares for 32 children and young people who either have no surviving family able to care for them, have been abandoned or who have been abused by care givers. They are divided into small groups with a foster carer responsible for each group.

Feeding Schemes for the most vulnerable children at Okhayeni, Mpontshini, Entabayengwe, Manyiseni, Mgedula and Ekuhlehleni Primary Schools  and their siblings (an estimated 500 total) each weekend and daily during school holidays; and a weekday scheme for 47 of the young people at Ingwavuma High School who come to school on an empty stomach.

Fruit and vegetable gardens, fencing and the installation of a supply of water and/or rain water tanks at the sites of the feeding schemes and Zisize Centre.

Family sponsorship scheme linking UK donors with child headed households to ensure basic nutrition.

Emergency Food parcels

Getting to School. School uniform provision for identified vulnerable children in six communities

Payment of school fees or negotiation for exemptions.

Provision of stationery, calculators and books for High School pupils who cannot afford to buy their own.

Developing Educators Zisize employs an educational development officer who conducts literacy training workshops and encourages the use of corner libraries. She conducts regular monitoring visits. When funds are in place a maths and science trainer will be recruited to improve levels of teaching in these subjects.

Assessment & Therapeutic Interventions include:-

The Radio Project, Forum Theatre Project, Memory Box Project and Life Skills Groups.

IQ testing by our psychologist.

Counselling & therapy for bereaved and abused children.

Social Work intervention

Mentor Programme - supporting orphaned and vulnerable children

HIV/AIDS Zisize is fortunate to have a volunteer nurse who is able to give health advice and to provide HIV testing and counselling with the utmost confidentiality.

Building Programmes Two toilet blocks at Ingwavuma High School and a two bedroomed home for a child headed household are curently under construction.

Income Generating Schemes are in their infancy

International Volunteers' involvement.

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