NEWS
2009 RivLife Community Centre
In December 2005, RivLife International entered into a 30 year lease agreement with the City of Pietermaritzburg (Msunduzi Municipality) to restore an abandoned, vandalized and deplorable hospital complex consisting of 7.9 hectares (20 acres) of land with four buildings to viable community use for the poorest of the poor. The site is now home to the RivLife International Community Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for South Africans infected and affected by HIV and Aids.
RivLife is a designated Section 21 Company and has been certified by the South African government as a non-profit organization (NPO). In 2006 RivLife acquired an 18(a) certificate which exempts local businesses from taxes with regard to their donations. RivLife Community Centre provides the most disadvantaged adults with specialized care, nurturing, technology training, and recreational opportunities to strengthen their capacity and make available healthy food and nutrition, provide job readiness and computer training and shelter for the homeless.
RivLife Community Centre sources funding from various businesses, state bodies and donors - however, RivLife’s specific intent is not to merely look for handouts, but to proactively engage in business ventures through partnerships with various organisations and to ultimately become self-sustainable in conducting its community endeavours. The same philosophy is applied to individuals and communities within the target group - to change the mindsets of this sector by teaching them ‘how to fish’. While the immediate focus is on meeting the present needs of the community, it is hoped that a model of best practice with regard to sustainable development will be established for future generations.
RivLife is a designated Section 21 Company and has been certified by the South African government as a non-profit organization (NPO). In 2006 RivLife acquired an 18(a) certificate which exempts local businesses from taxes with regard to their donations. RivLife Community Centre provides the most disadvantaged adults with specialized care, nurturing, technology training, and recreational opportunities to strengthen their capacity and make available healthy food and nutrition, provide job readiness and computer training and shelter for the homeless.
RivLife Community Centre sources funding from various businesses, state bodies and donors - however, RivLife’s specific intent is not to merely look for handouts, but to proactively engage in business ventures through partnerships with various organisations and to ultimately become self-sustainable in conducting its community endeavours. The same philosophy is applied to individuals and communities within the target group - to change the mindsets of this sector by teaching them ‘how to fish’. While the immediate focus is on meeting the present needs of the community, it is hoped that a model of best practice with regard to sustainable development will be established for future generations.
Organisational Profile