Two Sisters Doing Good in Africa

Two Sisters Doing Good in Africa
Volunteer Vanessa Parker, wife of Ben Parker, co-founder of the eco-luxe lodge Tongabezi near Victoria Falls, started Tujatane the Tongabezi Trust School almost twenty years ago, and it has become an education model for Africa today. In 2013, it won a Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award.

Designer Susie Lightfoot, wife of James Lightfoot, co-owner of barefoot luxury “resort” Kaya Mawa, founded Katundu, a fair trade enterprise where women who are AIDS orphans create high quality napery, bedspreads and other home furnishings accessories, many embroidered with beads, seeds and shells.

In 1996, Vanessa opened Tujatane (meaning “Let us all hold hands together”) initially for the children of Tongabezi staff. But word soon spread, and what was originally a pre-school developed into a highly successful primary school, one that has seen a student accepted into Vassar College, another into a highly selective aviation program and a group of students win national awards in music and dance. Amazingly, the school runs entirely on donations.

Vanessa's tireless work for this worthy cause has paid off handsomely for the community. Tujatane now has computers donated from several schools in the UK, a TV/video donated by two American guests, and a library of used books. Still needed: art materials, paper, educational videos and other tools that will help them work more quickly.

Because most of the children live in a one- or two-room mud hut, with no running water or electricity, Vanessa has made it possible for Americans to sponsor a child for $55 a month. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Cogitare Foundation, 1240 Park Avenue, Apt. 3A, New York, NY 10128.

Susie Lightfoot started Katundu in 2006 on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. Today, with 26 employees, it is Likoma's third largest employer. Susie had worked as a designer in India and at Tribal Textiles, the celebrated textile workshop in Zambia. At Katundu, linens in contemporary designs are enhanced with wooden beads, coconut husks and shells and come in a variety of colors from rich chocolate to beige, hessian and other blues.

The team of workers at Katunda are not only provided with employment, empowerment and independence in an area where jobs are scarce, but they in turn support numerous family members, thus providing a positive impact on the community.

More information: www.tujatane.com; www.katundu.net