As tourists visited the informal settlement known as Ramaphosa, it was felt that the community should benefit in some way from this tourism. The community approached Calabash Trust and after many meetings the main need identified by the community was for a nutrition scheme and pre-school. 
Thanks to the generosity of a UK school and a British tourist, Calabash Trust was able to purchase three containers which were quickly renovated to become two class rooms and a kitchen. Another Dutch Tourist committed to sending regular monthly donations to help feed the children in this very poor area. We presently feed around 100 children per day (including children who come for feeding after school) with healthy nutritious food.
Through a small education fund we have we funded three ladies who volunteer in this project to attend pre-school training. They have all graduated as pre-school teachers.
The local people are thrilled that their children are beginning to have the same opportunities as children from advantaged backgrounds. They named the project “ Lavela,” which means “the sun is rising.” So from having nothing in the area, Calabash Trust has helped make the sun rise for the children of this community.
Once a year the teachers at Lavela celebrate all the children's birthdays. This year (2010) they were lucky to receive gifts from individual donors and Isilumko Media seen below.
