LekaGape

The important work and success of Leka Gape would not be possible without the engagement of many motivated people.

Since over 10 years numerous volunteers, interns and students from Germany and other European countries have initiated various projects and contributed substantially to the development of Leka Gape.

With more than 30 local employees Leka Gape is in the meantime besides the local government the largest employer in Lulekani.

Together these people have helped many abused and vulnerable women and children and they have improved the life of numerous people in the region. On the following pages we would like to present you some of the experienced Leka Gape employees.

They will tell how they joined Leka Gape, what they like most at their work and which vision and aims they have for the organization.

Before my time at Leka Gape I have finished my school and received a diploma in Computer Science.

Today I am responsible for the coordination and supervision of our volunteers and interns.  I support them in finding a work in our organization, which they enjoy and help them when they have problems.

our years ago, when I was 23 years old, I started to work in the Phola Center of Leka Gape as a youth supervisor. After this, I worked in our partner organization Love Live, which commits to inform the youth about HIV and to sexual education. Two years later I decided to work for Leka Gape again.

like to work for Leka Gape, because we create jobs for the region. Besides that the exchange with the volunteers and interns supports us to develop ourselves. Of course, there are still things that we need to improve, like the cooperation between management and volunteers.

For a successful organization it is crucial that we are all working for one goal.

After I have passed my exams in school, I started to work for Leka Gape in 2001. My career at Leka Gape began with training to a confectioner. I have worked in this position for two years. Afterwards

I was promoted to the assistant of Petra and later I became the Manager of our Bakery.
Since 2007 I am responsible for the finance of Leka Gape. Besides my work, I am studying Finance in a correspondence course. Before that I also attended courses for human resources and office management.

Our organization works for the community and specifically for disadvantaged people of our society. This confirms me in working for Leka Gape and I hope we will develop further. I hope that we can open a Leka Gape Restaurant in Lulekani the near future.

I work in our organization as a Day Care Coordinator in the Shelter. In my position I supervise the day care and the lessons of our children and women.

This includes also coordinating the work of the housemothers and of the volunteers that work in the Shelter and in the Day Care.

Before I was promoted to the Day Care Coordinator of the Shelter, I have started to work for Leka Gape as housemother in 2003. As a housemother I have cooked for the Shelter residents, looked after them and took them to bed.

Sometimes I also supported the volunteers by translating and mediating between them and the children. One year after my employment I began with a correspondence course in children and youth development.

I hope that I'll finish my studies in 2009. To support abused and disadvantaged children and women fulfills me. I really would like to see that our organization is able to house more vulnerable children and women.

Since the beginning of Leka Gape in 1998 I am working for this organization. First I supported Leka Gape as a volunteer and helped to build up the bakery and in 2001 I became an employee. From 2005 on I was the housekeeper of the Bakery and was responsible for the maintenance and cleaning.

My work changed in 2007 when Daniel, a former Leka Gape volunteer and carpenter from Germany, came and established the Leka Gape Carpentry. He also trained me to a carpenter.

We are producing cupboards, beds, puzzles and pens since a few months and already have some ideas for new product. For the future I hope, that another carpenter will join us and train Quentin and me further. We would like to help the Carpentry to become an important part of Leka Gape.

I am 30 years old and have a diploma in Computer Science. Currently I am taking part in a correspondence course on human resources and management.

A few years ago I saw by chance a job advertising of Leka Gape and applied immediately. Before I have started to work in the Leka Gape Bakery in February 2002, I built up a youth project with Petra's support in Siluane, a town close to Lulekani.

I have worked three years as a baker in the Leka Gape Bakery and in 2006 I was promoted to the manager of the Bakery. Since 2007 I am the manager of Leka Gape.

In my current role I am responsible for each department and their development. I also have started to support Petra in writing proposals for the fund raising.

Not only the fact, that Leka Gape works for the community and the inhabitants of Lulekani, confirms me in working for our organization, but also that we can develop ourselves personally and professionally. Besides that I really enjoy the cultural exchange between the volunteers and us.

For the next years I hope, that our organization will expand further so that it can support more disadvantaged people and the development of Lulekani.

I think, that our new ideas and projects, like the “a chance to play” project, is a big challenge but at the same time also a great chance for our community and us.