After 15 years I have handed over the reigns of running the Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS) and return to the position I started in 2002 as a Volunteer . I hope to divide my time between the Waterberg and UK. What a privilege it has been to get to know the local community and the wonderful staff that make up WWS. I think I can say the last 15 years have taught me so much, have been very fulfilling on many levels. So blessed to have had this opportunity and I look forward to continuing supporting WWS as a volunteer in the future.

Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS) works with key partners to provide an effective holistic response to the HI/VAIDS pandemic in the Waterberg (rural Limpopo Province, South Africa) . We are a registered NPO 019-865 since 2002 and received BBBEE Level 1 in 2014.WWS started as a grassroots, community based organisation in 2000. A modest beginning defined and administered with belief and integrity grew rapidly in response to demand.Early on the value and potential of including beneficiaries in the organisation and development was recognised. As a result, consultation, active listening and evaluation have been key to its success. Core objectives have been retained and allowed flexibility of development with increased rigor over timeOne of the key objectives for WWS is to contribute to providing a stable and secure future for vulnerable young people through partnering with key stakeholders in identifying and addressing gaps, in order to reduce the limited employability and fragility of youth within society.Over the last 12 years WWS have been nurturing orphans and vulnerable children from the community to develop their own potential and ability to self- protect through Health Promotion and Life Skills Programs. Empowering youth as healthy, educated and responsible community leaders, through facilitating and supporting their transition from adolescence to adulthood. It has become clear through consultation with our beneficiaries and the youth that the next step is to establish a centre where co- operatives can operate. We would like to establish this centre as a model to be replicated through the rural areas reaching the marginalised communities.