Welcome to Hlekweni Friends Rural Service

Our vision: to be a leader in the provision of appropriate training for sustainable livelihoods in rural communities, primarily in Matabeleland

staff at Hlekweni

news from 2009
	Annual Report 2009 - (66kB)
Hlekweni now has high speed internet access	UK Quakers return to Hlekweni as volunteers	Gendarme anaerobic toilets prevent the spread of cholera while saving water
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news from 2008
	Annual Report 2008 - (short version 51kB)
Hlekweni graduates 34 students in December 2008 and 108 for the year	Alternatives to Violence Program begins at Hlekweni	Extension work continues with training and seed distribution	Donor and volunteer news in 2008
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news from 2007
	Annual Report 2007 - (short version 44kB)
Hlekweni graduates 136 students in 2007	continuing land rehabilitation work	fundraising saves Sekai's vision	regional Quaker retreat at Hlekweni (April 2007)
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Background

Hlekweni was founded by Quakers, and has provided skills training in Matabeleland since 1967. External factors have increased the demand for courses that can lead to self-employment. Hlekweni provides a holistic experience, sharing values of integrity, cooperation and compassion.

Bio-intensive farming has been a mainstay of Hlekweni's work in rural areas for many years. Subject to donor funding this work continues largely with impoverished communities. An on-site organic nursery is used for training and demonstration purposes. A vetiver grass nursery is being established, and a nutritional and medicinal nursery are planned.

Training Courses

Our main training courses take six months and include:

These courses run from January to June, and from July to December. They include relevant aspects of life-skills and business training. A number of short courses are also available.

Also at Hlekweni...

We are introducing drip kits and other techniques in our region, in the context of regular food and water shortages.	Hlekweni manufactures and repairs commercial school and office furniture, and responds to individual requirements.
Hlekweni provides consultancy and training services, including extension workshops in rural areas.	Until 2004 we facilitated food distribution to nearby rural areas, in response to acute shortages. Permission to continue is being sought from the government.
Based on a 1,800 acre farm near Bulawayo, our grounds include Samathonga Primary School.	Hlekweni is home to a beef cattle herd, supplementing market garden production and our poultry unit.