No: 1085470
Write to:
Zisize Trust
c/o David Cooper
The Garden House
Trellech
Monmouthshire
NP25 4PA
Volunteers
Zisize has been blessed with many wonderful volunteers, who have undertaken a whole range of activities, from animal husbandry, art, assault course making, carpentry, construction, creche teaching, dancing, drama, fence building, gardening, holiday programmes, library set up, medical assessments, nursing, painting, path laying, septic tank building, sports, subject teaching and simply giving children care and time.
In the early years of Zisize in Ingwavuma, we relied heavily on both local volunteers and international ones, as there was no money to pay staff. In recent years there have been few overseas volunteers but they are still needed.
We are reaching out to individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact and empowering vulnerable communities to become self-sufficient through practical skills training. Our initiative aims to equip families with the necessary tools to generate income without requiring formal education certificates, focusing on areas such as catering, cooking and baking, building, car servicing, crafts, upholstery, furniture making, shoe repair, rabbit farming, and to help children:- teaching assistants to help slow learners, ECD creche practitioners, life skills and organising holiday programs.
Together, we can empower vulnerable populations to harness their talents and capabilities, fostering resilience and self-reliance within the community. Your guidance and support will not only enable these community members to develop valuable vocational skills but also help them create sustainable income-generating opportunities for themselves and their families.
While most of those below were living in the UK when they volunteered, their home countries spanned several continents. Zisize is based in Wales and it is fitting that many who are Welsh or live in Wales were amongst our first volunteers there.

Carpentry, Construction, Painting, Plumbing, Solar Electrics
Ann; Ashraf; Dave C; Emma; Jenny; Jono; Kieran; Laura; Lizzie; Lydia; Mike; Niki; Pauline; Will
Mike Peckham from PSA Training brought his wife, Lizzie, children Ashraf & Amirah and friends Pauline, Jono, Laura and Lydia to volunteer in 2007, along with Dave Cooper’s son Kieran. They renovated Ekukhanyeni, painted it, and helped extend Manyiseni Centre by enclosing the al fresco space.
Zisize Centre’s & Ekukhanyeni Foster Children’s Holiday Schemes
Ann; Ellie; Emma; Gareth; Jenny; Karen; Katie; Marie-Claire; Menna; Niki; Siwann.
Party & prezzie time for Ekukanyeni children – thanks to Amirah, Ashraf, Jono, Kieran, Lizzie, Laura, Lydia, Mike
Skills training & professional services
Liz, a qualified and very experienced teacher, took early retirement to train our creche workers.
Lyn and Sally brought their social work expertise and trained staff in counselling skills, report writing and helped assess foster carers, raised funds and standards.
Creche teaching
Diamond Trading Company & PSA Training Teams 2004
This wonderful group of people not only raised the funds to build and equip Manyiseni Centre but arrived to find a half- finished building, so rolled up their sleeves and helped the builder to finish it and then they painted it, fenced it and equipped it. In addition, they taught sport, made sports coaching videos for teachers; taught English and Maths, taught a Special Needs Class, repaired a printer and a computer, made a tyre swing in a tree and played with the children.
THE TEAM
Dave J, Christopher, Simon, Dave C, Marcus, Nick G, Nick M, James,
Mike, Jonathan, Vikram,
George, Liz, Maria, Tony, Celina, Nerys
DTC & PSA Training 2006

Dave C, from PSA Training, DTC’s Nerys and Tony returned in 2006, along with Jeff who also works at DTC, to build an assault course, create paths, build a septic tank, paint the new centre and generally make a difference!
Medway Towns Soroptimists

In 2001 Soroptimist International held its conference in Durban ICC. Amongst the attendees were Jane and Julia from Medway Towns Club. Niki had set up an exhibit of ZIsize’s work and the Welsh flag caught the attention of Jane, originally from Penarth. This serendipitous meeting has led to more than two decades of friendship and support from the Medway Towns Club. Not only have they given funds to buy the land on which Ekukhanyeni stands, to buy a vehicle and build two volunteer houses, but four of them have physically volunteered in Ingwavuma – Jane, Judy, Julia and Wanda, plus Julia’s husband, Roger. They have engaged with Ekukhanyeni children, run holiday schemes, taught, worked with women, helped deliver food parcels and much more. The first picture shows Julia at the ICC Durban, where it all began.
Goodenough College Post Graduate Students
We were very fortunate to have a number of volunteers from the above countries, who were post graduate students living at Goodenough College in London during their studies. These young, highly intelligent and multi-talented people were able to hit the ground running and achieved a huge amount, usually in just a few weeks. Drama workshops; gardening; maths teaching; carpentry; salsa lessons; self-defence lessons; holiday programmes; tiling; installing a ceiling; rabbit husbandry! Jenny from Canada came several times and for many months. Thank you to all of the following – I hope I can remember all their names! Andrew, Brita, Catalina, Erlend, Eva, Fernando, Helii, Heather, Jenny, Luigina, Marcelo, Paulina, Paulo, Peter, Philipp, Wenche. Apologies for anyone inadvertently not included.
Individuals
A number of individuals or families in addition to the Welsh ones, have come to assist, not as part of a group, through the UK charity. These include Kim & her mother; Steve; Leanne & Jai; Elina; Ashraf & his girlfriend; Fredy, Ben, Chloe & Max.
Others have gone to Ingwavuma direct through the South African NGO, including:- Emily: Gwyneth; Jaime; Leah: Louise; Sylvia; PEACE Corps volunteers and a church group from Cape Town.
We are grateful to each and every one. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Hlengiwe direct as she will be able to say if Zisize can accommodate you at your chosen time. Email director@zisize.org.za and please c.c. niki@zisize.org.uk