The Role of Community
Ikamva Labantu’s success, reach and effectiveness lies in the number and power of the people we support.
We exist because of remarkable individuals within communities who are determined to make a difference for themselves and those in their care.
The community is the primary agent of change. The impact and influence of teachers, foster parents, neighbours, grandparents and guardians are paramount, but their resources are often limited. It is through assisting these individuals, and supporting the solutions that communities identify among themselves, that Ikamva Labantu’s mission comes to life.
Community Forums: the voice of our caregivers
Our Community Forums have evolved from Ikamva Labantu’s community networks. What originally started as informal peer support groups, today operate as formal associations representing the voices and interests of caregivers in the communities.
Community representatives gather regularly in small area forums, and then convene monthly at the larger Ikamva Labantu Community Forums. Here forum members are able to voice the challenges their communities face, share insights and solutions with each other, and bring specific community needs to our attention.
Community Forums are the lifeblood of Ikamva Labantu and play a critical role in the organisation. They ensure that we keep our finger on the pulse of community needs, and are instrumental in shaping our services and programmes to effectively address those needs.
Our support for Community Forums include governance and leadership training; provision of facilities for forum meetings; workshops; active participation their monthly meetings; and formal dialogue and consultation around programme development.