This was a pragmatic response to the gross and in some cases total lack of resources at many of the primary schools at that time, enabling teachers to borrow books and teaching materials. Niki Lee and Hlengiwe Mthimkhulu visited the local primary schools within 15km of the centre and invited schools to become members and use the facilities.  They were greeted with responses ranging from great excitement from some principals and individual teachers to extreme apathy and disinterest from others. A decision was made soon afterwards to invest energy where people showed a level of self motivation, hence the name ‘ZISIZE’ – ‘help yourself’. The contents soon outgrew the building and The Employment Bureau of Africa were persuaded to allow us to use a disused dormitory near the centre of Ingwavuma (below) free of charge, for which we are eternally grateful.

Its location made it more visible to the wider community and even before opening in January 2000, children began to visit it, offering to help but staying to play with the toys & puzzles – a play centre evolved.

Children used to sit and read books at the Centre. Then some asked if they could borrow books. A community lending library developed

Parents desperate for a good education for their children asked us to run a bilingual preschool class - so we did.

Teachers asked for help to purchase science kits, so we bought some with money from Old Mutual and liaised with the Solon Foundation which contributed 75% of the cost for each of the member schools of Ingwavuma Primary Science Interest Group. Teachers came from up to 60km away to attend workshops with Brian Gray.

High school students asked if they could use the centre to study - we agreed

That building has now been bought by the Department of Education, but they kindly allowed us to remain there, without charge while we built our own new centre on tribal land at KwaQatha. (below) We moved into our new home in June 2006.

Timeline

1999 - Teachers' Resource Centre at out of town Community Hall run by a volunteer

2000 - Teachers' Resource Centre at TEBA run by volunteers which was also a play facility, community lending library and pre-school class. Assistance was provided to Mpontshini School to access Operation Jumpstart funds which then enabled the building of five clasrooms and a toilet block. Ekukhanyeni Refuge was created in a school hut for one boy.

2001 - Change of focus from Teachers' Resource Centre to Children's Centre but retained resource facility. Volunteers were paid small stipends. Provision of subsidised science kits to primary schools. Now 4 boys at Ekukhanyeni

2002 - Children's Centre at TEBA continued to attract many children for play, to borrow books, attend pre-school class or to study. Commencement of first weekend and school holiday feeding scheme. Began building solid construction home (Ekukhanyeni), first international volunteers, Learning is Fun Competition, first holiday play scheme, supply of water to Mpontshini School, and classroom building

2003 - Children's Centre at TEBA. Completion of building first three rooms at Ekukhanyeni, ten international volunteers, three additional feeding schemes started, uniforms bought, more children admitted to Ekukhanyeni, additional two rooms began to be built along with a kitchen, shower, toilets and dining area. Commencement of monthly food parcels (7), provision of uniform to every child in need at Mpontshini school.

2004 - Children's Centre at TEBA and addition of Manyiseni Centre completed thanks to 14 DTC graduate trainees and Mike & Dave from PSA Training, who not only funded it but helped to build it. Manyiseni Centre opened as library and play centre. Commencement of fifth feeding scheme. More international volunteers, 200 uniforms bought, eight more children admitted to Ekukhanyeni, where two extra rooms were completed. Employment of first professional - a teacher trainer. Building of volunteers' houses commenced. First Battle of the Books Competition. Additional classrooms, admin block and hall built at Mpontshini. First child headed home built. Provision of monthly food parcels (12)

2005 - Two children's centres, 2 play facilities, 2 community lending libraries, 2 creches, 1 pre-school class. Roofed in passageway of Ekukhanyeni and built lounge - numbers rose to 23 children. Employment of clerical assistant, book keeper, assistant social worker and intern psychologist. Food garden training and provision of resources including water at 5 schools. 790 uniforms provided. Termly Battle of the Books Competitions. Commencement of Hero Books, Soul Buddyz and Radio projects. Provision of monthly food parcels (18). Building of KwaQatha Centre and completion of first volunteer house. 22 international volunteers. Birth of drama project.

2006 - Moved into KwaQatha Centre - for the first time we have phones and offices! Employment of finance/admin manager and librarian. Two children's centres, 2 play facilities, 2 community lending libraries, 2 creches, 1 pre-school class,(all of which are ongoing. Numbers rose to 27 children at Ekukhanyeni - improved decor, bought more beds. Employment of former intern psychologist, now qualified who conducts IQ tests, counselling and therapy. Termly Battle of the Books. Development of Hero Books, Soul Buddyz, Radio and Drama projects. Provision of monthly food parcels (18). Creation of assault course and creche play area at KwaQatha. Large scale holiday programme. Visit by American celebrities. National and international volunteers. Library & Grade R Training. Creation of HIV Project

2007 - First (and second) vehicles! Staff numbers increase to a total of 30. Additional school (Entabayengwe) added to Zisize's partner schools and feeding scheme started there and at Kwa Qatha Centre. Employment of Director of Zisize, enlargement of Board of Trustees. Employment of study supervisor to help children with difficulties. Renovation of Ekukhanyeni, provision of new furniture, water, and building of single room homes for oldest boys and a two roomed home for three sisters and their 2 babies. Moved 6 girls from Ekukhanyeni into temporary accommodation to reduce numbers at Ekukhanyeni - plan to build cluster foster homes. Extension of radio and drama projects. Creation of Fostering project and Building project which will repair or re-build the homes of child headed households. Increased teacher training. Development of food gardens at kwaQatha to provide vegetables to all feeding schemes and families in need. Manyiseni centre extended to give quiet room for study. Toilet block built at KwaQatha. Monthly food parcels (29)

2008 - Third vehicle. Staff numbers increase to 43. Feeding programme started for Vulnerable children in Grade 12 at Ingwavuma High School, Monday to Friday. By May, two child headed homes were built. Mgedula hall is under construction. Molteno Literacy Project under way.