Project update: The Container

The container getting delivered to the Induna's office.

Ensuring the smooth transition of our large container of donations has been a long and interesting process. It has taken us many months, but we have been fortunate enough to donate nearly all of the container’s contents to parts of the Khula community in need.

We are now well on our way to transforming the container from its original purpose towards a full-blown library where the people of Khula can come to learn, read and have fun.

Here is a breakdown of what has gone on with the container since its arrival at our St Lucia projects.

The Induna reading the names of community members who
have gardens so they can come pick up a spade or fork.

First things first

After an exciting delivery and first opening it was decided that, in true Zulu fashion, the container must have its own event. Hundreds came out during the month of July to see the container be opened and to hear speeches from Bob and Julie, who generously organised all the donations all the way from the U.K. 


Volunteers spoke about healthy eating, living positively with HIV and oral hygiene, which was important because everyone in attendance received a toothbrush. Adults also received toothpaste and if they had a garden at home they also received one of the hundreds of spades and forks that were donated. A great day was had by all!

Nadine delivering books to Ndabenhle.

Sorting, stacking, moving

Then came the extremely arduous and difficult task of organising and counting all the donations within the container. With the help of the volunteers, we made list after list, which was compiled into a spreadsheet of all the containers contents and ideas of where they could be used. It took a few months of regular visits to get all the boxes of books counted and organised along with all of the toys, bikes and other donations.

Door-to-door deliveries

Then came the time to make the donations happen – an exciting time for both volunteers and staff. After carefully evaluating the needs of all the crèches and some of the churches in Khula, with the help of the Induna’s counsellors, a spreadsheet was made of what the container could provide for each community organisation. 

Many of the crèches, including Ndabenhle, Snenhlanhla and Dukuduku crèche, received books, tables and children’s chairs. Churches in the communities were also evaluated and some received desks and desk chairs.

One of the creche boxes filled with
donations from the container.

The village’s counsellor as well as Ndabenhle crèche and one of the large churches also received computers, while some of our home based care patients received walkers and crutches. The principles and leaders of each of the crèches were so pleased to have the new items and extremely grateful.

Project help

Not only did all of the crèches and many of the churches in Khula receive donations from the container, but our projects and the people we help on a daily basis also saw a benefit when the container arrived. 


Many of the toys that were donated were put in our crèche boxes, as we often volunteer at three crèches each day and were in need of extra toys for the children to play with. The boys at Ezwenelisha Afterschool Club also received a solar panel, which is now used proudly in their dormitory.

Nearing the end

As the donations slowly filed out of the container, it was easier to see just how we would transform the metal box into a beautiful community library. Situated on the land of the Induna’s office, it was easy for the volunteers to spend a lot of time this year organising and filing away books. 


We bought stickers from the local stationary shop and began categorising books, with the help of a volunteer who luckily happened to be a former librarian!

It’s been a wonderful process to see the library in transformation, and we’re happy to report that some great progress is being made in sorting and stacking the books, though there is still a lot more work inside and outside of the container to be done before it can be used to its fullest. 


However, we’re up for the challenge and will continue working hard to provide Khula with a library while ensuring the container’s donations are received by those who need them most.

Check back on our blog for more updates regarding the container and other projects.