Bulembu, a town in Swaziland with heart and vision, is redefining and rebuilding itself. Abandoned by the mining industry, the future looked bleak. The inhabitants deserted the town and left with nothing. In a country further ravaged by AIDS – orphans and babies were impacted daily. But a team of entrepreneurs and social developers see potential in Bulembu and the spirit of the Swazi people.
Today Bulembu has a vision to create a totally self-sustaining community, restoring health, education, commerce and providing care for the children. Join our journey and breathe life back into the community in Bulembu – From the Bulembu Website
A friend of mine, Jamie Woller, helped start and works for the Bulembu project. I recently sat down with him to chat about what he does with Bulembu and his thoughts on the future of the project. Not only is Bulembu something that is very unique and special in Swaziland, it is a testiment of what a handful of dedicated and passionate individuals working hand-in-hand with the Swazi people can do to make a difference in the lives of others.
| Current Vision State | Bulembu for 2020 | |
| Population | 1,200 | 10,000 |
| Support for Orphaned Children | 150 | 2,000 |
| Children enrolled in Bulembu schools | 120 per year | 1,500 |
| Jobs created through SME ventures | 500 | 3,000 |
| Hospital-clinic visits | 20 per day | 400 per day |
| Visitor/tourists/volunteers | 1,000 per year | 4,000 per year |
| Vocational school | 0 students | 500 students |
- How would you explain what you do to an interested nine-year old child?
I work in a community in Swaziland Africa called Bulembu where we help those who are suffering from disease, have very little food and cant find jobs. We try to give opportunities for people to go to work, and provide for their families; opportunities for kids to get a good education so that they can have access to jobs; opportunities to receive medical treatment for those who have diseases. But one of the most important things we do is look for ways to teach those we help, how to learn how to do many things on their own. The idea is that after years of helping those in our community, they can begin to not only care for themselves, but can also begin to help others in surrounding communities. This is the type of transformation we aim to provide. In many ways it reminds me of when I was a kid, I would build Lego cities filled with schools, hospitals, farms, churches, police stations and all the essentials for people to be safe and cared for. Similar to that, in Bulembu we are concerned with every area of the community – the hospital, school, homes for orphaned children, the creation of jobs, staff training, management and leadership, sale and delivery of products and even bringing out volunteers
- What first drew you to this work?
When I was just a young child, I remember a missionary coming to my church and showing pictures from his work in Africa. My heart swelled with compassion for children that were so much less fortunate than I was. I was actually stunned to know that others lived in such deep poverty. Since then I have worn a pendent around my neck of the continent of Africa to remind me of that experience. Now the drawing motivation is much more than the compassion I feel for the marginalized, it is also about justice. I do not want my generation to be the one that gets etched into history for allowing entire people groups to collapse because of diseases and famines, which we could have prevented – but rather just stood by and watched. After extensive travels around various parts of the world, I realized there is so much that can be done to make a difference. It was then that I really committed myself to being a part of bringing holistic transformation to the marginalized. I thoroughly believe history can be changed easier than we think. For instance, in 2004 Stephen Lewis mentioned that by the year 2050, if something wasn’t done to stem the tide of AIDS, the people of Swaziland would be extinct. When I heard that, I asked myself, “How could I not do something to make a difference?” After three years of working in Swaziland, I am convinced that together, the NGO’s there are turning the outcomes of history. That to me is amazing.
- From what sources do you draw inspiration for your work?
As a child I witnessed countless occasions where my parents were the defenders of the “underdog”. In so many occasions both of them would fight for justice. Even today, I gather great inspiration for their value of justice. Also, the lives of both Mother Teresa and Rich Mullins have probably impacted me more than any other. Both of them lived selflessly, as if their life was not their own. They inspire me to constantly surrender more for the sake of others. Probably the thing I gather most though, from both of their lives, is to see each individual person. Sometimes projects can become so large, they lose their focus, of what it is really about. In this regard, both Mother Teresa and Rich Mullins inspire me that lives are changed one at a time and it rarely is us changing lives, rather we are just a vehicle that God uses.
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Tell us about a project that delighted you often.
It is actually a project that I am currently working on. In December this year we have nearly 1,000 South African students coming to the Bulembu community to volunteer for two weeks. I have been thrilled at the sheer challenge of assisting coordinate the logistics and overall strategy for such an event. The challenges we are exposed to in order to make this event a success are tremendous. But, the joy comes in knowing that as 1,000 young adults descend the village, the transformation that is going to take place not only in the lives of those living in Bulembu, but also in the lives of the students, is incredible. Similar to the delight we might get completely renovating an area of our house, say our kitchen, that is what it is going to be like when they leave. I still struggle to grasp what 80,000 man hours of volunteerism is going to do to our community.
- How do you plan your work?
I think the biggest challenge in planning work is assembling plans or strategies here in North America –whether it is for a macro-business, clinic expansion or community project – and then to have it filtered through numerous phases before being implemented on the ground in the community. The planning in the initial stages has to take into account the many cultural phenomenon’s, long term sustainability of the community and the resources we have on the ground and the leadership available to drive it forward. One thing I have certainly learned through multiple work plans, is to step back, take a 30,000 foot view of everything all working together, and see the macro image. Since I am truly a visual learner, sometimes I lay out images and drawings to see the inner working connectedness of each plan in relation to the overall strategic plan. This is an ever increasing reality for us since we are concerned with every area of the community – the economics, the medical clinic, education system, orphan care program, job creation, training, management and leadership, product logistics and distribution and international funding.
- How does your work connect to other aspects of your life?
Being an integral part of an emerging NGO draws on every area of your life. When it stems from a foundational outcry or conviction you have, it becomes holistic to all that you do. In many ways my value and passion for transformation is what serves as the basis for each area of my life. I have been blessed to have so much support from my friends and family whom many have partnered with me in the journey. Taking my mother out to Africa for the first time a few years ago was a true blessing. I find so much fulfillment in sharing my passion with those close to me. I honestly don’t see how every area of my life could not be impacted by the work I do.
