Enza empowers women in abuse crisis
2010-09-02
Devidean Moses
“IT’S very hard to let your child go when you know you will never be with the baby,” says a 16-year-old girl who has chosen to give her baby up for adoption due to her impoverished circumstances. Enza (“to do” in Xhosa and Zulu) is a non-governmental organisation based in the Carterville/New Rest area of Wellington, next to the Norsa community centre. The aim of the NGO is to empower underprivileged and abused women and girls to build a positive future for themselves. The founder and chairperson of this project, Ruth Gylfadottir, moved from Iceland to South Africa in 2005, with her family. Ruth’s dream and vision is to empower and to try to change the destiny of women who are from deprived circumstances as well as girls and women who face unplanned pregnancies and choose to give up their babies for adoption as a result of their socio-economic circumstances; because they want to ensure that the best interests of their babies are served. According to statistics, South Africa has the highest incidence of rape in the world. “Only one out of every nine cases is reported to the authorities and 7% find their way into the legal system,” says Ruth. She also says that many of the pregnant women who are traumatised by the experience of giving birth and giving up their baby, have nowhere to go and no support base on which to rely. Enza works in close co-operation with NorSA, a Norwegian/South African community care NGO, which focuses on children living in extreme poverty who are mainly from single parent households. Ruth became involved in the projects of NorSA as a volunteer in 2008 where she primarily focused on providing these women with computer and life skills training. To ensure a holistic approach, where children as well as their mothers are reached with education and empowerment opportunities, Enza, was established as the women arm of NorSA. The two organisations’s close relationship is confirmed by the fact that two of the NorSA board members are on the South African Enza Board. At first Ruth started the organisation as a Non-Governmental Organisation in Iceland. Since its inception in late 2008, the Icelandic board of directors has been marketing the project and raising funds. Enza became a registered Non-Profit Organisation in South Africa in March. Enza’s board of directors in South Africa includes Tracey Collins, Ulrich von Willingh, Lulu Bhunguzana, Alberto Prins, Elizabeth Williams, Dr Phinda Mhlongo and Marietjie Bezuidenhout as well as Sunnette le Roux of NorSa. With funds raised in Iceland and South Africa Enza has purchased a house next to the NorSA centre. This building is currently being converted to operate as a skills and learning centre where the women of the focus group as well as other underprivileged women in the area will be able to obtain education and training. The Enza Learning Centre will be operational by the end of September. The main emphasis will be on practical education, such as literacy training, computer skills, mathematical literacy, financial planning and budgeting as well as life skills training, cooking skills, needlework, beadwork and artwork. Ruth has been described as an amazing woman who helps people with a compassionate heart. She is married to Kolbeinn Kristinsson and has two sons. Her familily is very supportive of her work with this project. “The women in the community which we are involved, have wonderful talents and potential, but they need our investment in their lives to develop them,” says Ruth. “My experience has shown me that appalling socio-economic circumstances and lack of opportunities have caused women and girls to lose hope and motivation.” Through the Enza project, women and girls who have given up their babies for adoption, as well as other underprivileged women in the community, will have the opportunity to become economically active and self-sufficient and to build a better future for themselves and their families. During the weekend of 11 and 12 September, Enza is having a ‘volunteer make-over weekend’ where at least 60 volunteers will work around the clock to complete the finishings and decoration of the Enza Centre. This make-over weekend is being facilitated by the organisation New Kidz on the Block (a non-profit organisation which facilitates the renovation of children’s homes and foster family accommodation with the help of corporate sponsors and volunteers throughout the Western Cape). More information regarding the project is available on their website http://enza.za.org If anyone would like to assist Enza with a donation or monthly pledge or become involved in the project, send an email to info@enza.za.org or contact Ruth Gylfadottir on 072-7758-666. Donations to Enza are tax deductible in South Africa, as it is a Public Benefit Organisation registered under Section 18A of the Income Tax Law.
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