Empowering Women: Penduka's partnership with the Wilde Ganzen Foundation.

PENDUKA'S JOURNEY OF GROWTH & CAPACITY BUILDING DURING 2023 / 2024

Penduka is delighted to share the incredible strides made possible by the generous funding from the Wilde Ganzen Foundation in The Netherlands, complemented by part funding from the Penduka Foundation in the Netherlands. This vital support has empowered us to implement a comprehensive capacity-building initiative during 2023/2024, significantly enhancing our ability to uplift and empower women.

The Necessity of Capacity Building and Marketing Exercises

Penduka has always been dedicated to empowering women, but to achieve sustainable growth and amplify our impact, it was crucial to invest in capacity building as well as marketing our products, services, and facilities. This initiative aimed to:

• Strengthen Organisational Competence: Equip our leaders and staff with the skills needed to operate more effectively and sustainably.

• Enhance Marketing Strategies: Improve our outreach and visibility to attract more support and increase our impact.

• Empower Women: Provide training and development opportunities to the women at Penduka, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to their communities. Also to do skills training for women from our community.

Objectives of the Project

The primary objectives of the capacity-building and marketing project were to:

1. Develop Leadership Skills: Train Penduka's leaders to manage the organization more efficiently and drive its mission forward.

2. Enhance Communication Abilities (verbal & nonverbal): Equip staff with communication skills to engage stakeholders, visitors, donors, and the community more effectively.  Also improving the staff's self-confidence in general.

3. Improve Marketing Strategies: Create and implement  marketing plans to boost Penduka's visibility and attract more support.

4. Empower Women Through Training: Provide specialised training to women involved with Penduka, enhancing their skills and improving their economic opportunities.  

   - The training included hospitality training with emphasis on service, communication and general hospitality skills.  

   - Training & support to Kauna, the current Director in general management & finance.  Also financial support to the bookkeeping team (accountant).

Empowering Marginalised Women

Many of the women at Penduka come from marginalised backgrounds, with limited formal education and school training. These women face significant challenges, yet they demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination. The capacity-building program has been a beacon of hope, offering them the tools and confidence to help transform their lives.

Achievements and Accomplishments

Thanks to the unwavering support from the Wilde Ganzen Foundation and the Penduka Foundation, we have achieved remarkable milestones over the past year:

• Leadership Training & Support: Our leaders have undergone training & support in strategic management, project planning, and leadership skills. This has led to more efficient organizational operations and better decision-making processes.  This includes marketing support & financial training and assistance.

• Enhanced Communication: Staff members received training in both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, leading to improved interactions with stakeholders, particularly visitors and tourists. This training also boosted their self-confidence and increased their willingness to engage.

• Marketing Advancements: We have successfully developed and launched new local marketing campaigns that have increased our visibility and attracted more visitors, buyers and supporters (especially locally).  

  • Festivals and events are now more often held at Penduka Village.

  • Development of new website & marketing material to offer exposure.

  • Road signs to direct visitors to Penduka Village.

• Empowered Hospitality Staff: The women in our hospitality department at Penduka have benefited from an in-depth training program covering both hard and soft skills. This training included team building, customer engagement, cleaning, table setting, and front-of-house operations. Additionally, the hospitality team successfully completed a baking course, enabling them to bake during quieter times.  The funding also allowed us to purchase a new baking oven and the necessary kitchen utensils, enabling us to bake more efficiently.

Lessons Learned and Emotional Impact

The training programs, especially the communications and hospitality training, were not only educational but also emotionally enriching. These sessions were particularly fun and challenging, pushing us to step out of our comfort zones. The importance of effective communication became clear, and we learned to present Penduka's offerings with confidence and enthusiasm.

One of the key lessons learned is that more local companies, organisations, and the public are becoming aware of Penduka’s offerings. However, there is still more work to be done to further enhance our reach and impact. The marketing exercises have laid a strong foundation, and we are committed to building on this progress.

The capacity-building initiative has also had a profound impact on the morale of the women at Penduka. Knowing that they are valued and supported has boosted their confidence and motivation. This empowerment is evident in their increased participation and enthusiasm in daily activities and training sessions.

Giving Back to the Community

During the training, we also focused on giving back to the community. The skills training workshops (basket making for women from the community) were not only about individual empowerment but also about sharing knowledge and uplifting others. By teaching what we learned, we strengthened community bonds and extended the benefits of the training beyond Penduka.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Wilde Ganzen Foundation and the Penduka Foundation for their generous support and belief in our mission. Their contributions have been instrumental in driving our capacity-building efforts and empowering the women of Penduka. We also want to thank all the stakeholders involved in this project for their dedication and hard work.

Lastly, we express our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible women of Penduka who have shown immense dedication and enthusiasm throughout the training programs. Their resilience and determination continue to inspire us every day.

Together, we are making a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter, more empowered future.

Thank you for being part of this transformative journey.