Founded in 2007, Zimele USA's mission is to tackle the root causes of poverty by raising awareness and funds to train and empower women in rural South Africa to stand on their own two feet. Programming is carried out by Zimele Wethu Foundation, our partner in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Zimele Wethu is committed to creating self-sustaining communities and engages with people on a journey to realize their self-worth, gifts, talents and resources for their development as individuals, groups and communities.To date, over 12,000 women have participated in Zimele programs to become leaders and small scale entrepreneurs. These women and members of their extended households have continued to develop and transform not only their own lives but also their communities through social service projects to care for widows, orphans/vulnerable children, youth and homebound sick/elderly individuals. Over 6,000 women participate in Zimele savings groups and the program impacts over 31,000 individuals in rural communities outside of Durban.