Community Development, Biblical Justice & Social Responsibility
Introduction
Funanani Trust is a Charitable Trust established in 1998 by Rina Norden from within Lewende Woord. While it operates as an independent entity, registered as a Non-Profit Organization and Public Benefit Organisation, Funanani maintains a close and interdependent relationship with Lewende Woord. The Trust’s headquarters are situated at Lewende Woord Main in Brummeria, Pretoria, with a dedicated Community Centre in Mamelodi.
Contact:
Bank Detail:
Funanani Trust
Bank: ABSA Silverton
Account No.: 4057964588
Branch Code: 632005 / 334445
Swift Code: ABSAZAJJ
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Bank: ABSA Silverton
Account No.: 4057964588
Branch Code: 632005 / 334445
Swift Code: ABSAZAJJ
(Scroll down for more...)
Community Development
Funanani Trust is dedicated to tackling social challenges through a Biblically inspired approach. At its Community Centre in Mamelodi, the Trust offers a variety of impactful and innovative programmes designed to support the poor, oppressed, and marginalised. Evangelism and discipleship are central to these initiatives, which also include mentorship, skills training, counselling, and outreach activities. Collaborating closely with churches, NPOs, civil society, community organisations, and government partners, enhances the effectiveness of these efforts, fostering a stronger and more united community response.
Key Programmes:
- Spiritual Growth: Programmes, courses, and workshops addressing individuals' and families' spiritual needs and growth.
- Food Security: Teaching communities to establish and maintain sustainable food gardens and ad-hoc food relief in times of crisis or dire need, based on relationship and accountability.
- Skills Training: Funanani offers Small Business Skills, Sport, Early Childhood Development Skills Training, Life Skills, and Computer Training. From 2025 they will also be venturing into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Skills Training for children and youth.
- Counselling and Behavioral Change: We provide support for youth, at-risk children, the elderly, women in vulnerable situations, single parents mothers, fathers, and future fathers parents in overcoming the challenges they face. Our goal is to facilitate positive behavioural changes that help individuals adopt healthy habits and improve their overall well-being.
- Volunteerism: We believe our greatest asset is people and we value all our volunteers, whether from within the church, local community, or corporate volunteer programmes. Expertise, time, a shared sense of purpose, and making a meaningful impact within a group of like-hearted and -minded people, are often more valuable than financial contributions.
Congregations Care
In collaboration with the Lewende Woord Main Leadership and Pastoral and Ministry Teams, dedicated ministry services are provided to members of the congregation. This includes offering care packages to families who qualify, individual ministry support to families, and ad-hoc assistance to job seekers during their employment search. This initiative reflects the Trust’s commitment to supporting its spiritual community.
Disaster Relief
As part of a Christian, faith-based network of churches and organisations called RESPOND, Funanani focuses on equipping communities to respond effectively to disasters. This involves:
- Training churches, NGOs, and communities to handle man-made and natural disasters.
- Coordinating relief efforts in collaborative partnerships and operations to maximise resource efficiency and support.
City-Wide Network Building and Advocacy
Over the years, the Funanani Trust has collaborated with the City of Tshwane, academic institutions, research organisations, churches, and NGOs on impactful advocacy initiatives. These projects focus on:
- Homeless communities and asylum seekers from war-torn regions
- Women at risk
- Communities vulnerable to disasters and the human rights issues involved in handling response, subsequent displacements, and sheltering of victims of disasters
- Elderly abuse and elderly taken advantage of due to the theft of their title deeds
Corporate Social Responsibility
Funanani engages the business and corporate sectors through corporate volunteerism and donor programmes. These initiatives help companies address their corporate social responsibility goals and BBBEE scorecard requirements, and offer tax benefits through impactful donations. By partnering with Funanani, businesses can contribute to meaningful change in local communities with their resources and expertise.
The Funanani Trust is deeply committed to community development, disaster response, and advocacy, working to make a meaningful difference and foster stronger, more resilient communities. In collaboration with its partners (the Church first and foremost), we strive to contribute to the broader mission of the Church to bring hope and light to our city, especially during challenging times. At the heart of its efforts is the unwavering message of Jesus, delivered through various acts of service and support.
The Funanani Trust is deeply committed to community development, disaster response, and advocacy, working to make a meaningful difference and foster stronger, more resilient communities. In collaboration with its partners (the Church first and foremost), we strive to contribute to the broader mission of the Church to bring hope and light to our city, especially during challenging times. At the heart of its efforts is the unwavering message of Jesus, delivered through various acts of service and support.
