Hosanna Women celebrates seven years of impact in Durban

Seven years ago, Michele Gorrie founded Hosanna Women in Durban North.

She was previously involved in high-level corporate marketing and branding for many years, but admits her passion as an entrepreneur stirs her to use her creative vision and skills to serve and empower others.

She has drawn inspiration from American entrepreneur, Jim Rohn, and said: “People are at their best when serving others. Whatever good things we build end up building us.”

In 2017, she established the black-women-owned NPC whose prime object is to benefit the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector through empowering black women in education.

“We equip crèche owners and teachers to run their crèches and preschools in line with the National Qualifications Framework, which records each level of learning achievement so that what has been learned has nationwide recognition,” said Ms Gorrie.

Her vision for Hosanna Women had its roots in the need for sustainability programmes for NPOs.

Through her relationship with The Domino Foundation, she saw how critical it was for NPOs to have continuity of support for communities where its programmes work. One of The Domino Foundations seven programmes is ECD.

“We knew that giving a hand-up to women and children in education, particularly at the pre-school level, has immeasurable value,” she said.

“Hosanna Women’s modus operandi has been to unlock business opportunities through mutually beneficial B-BBEE partnerships. It has a strong partnership as a 48% shareholder in Domino Empowerment (Pty) Ltd, part of Domino Business which also is intimately in The Domino Foundation’s sustainability plan.”

Hosanna Women has stakes in several other enterprises and, through finances generated, enables ECD centres to improve their facilities. Playgrounds have been built, learning environments improved and perimeter security fencing installed.

Ms Gorrie said Hosanna Women works with crèche owners on improving the environment for both the learners and teachers and has provided emotional and financial support to empower these woman in their community roles.

A current focus project is building a crèche for beneficiary Zanele Nzimakwe in Amaoti where there is a need for more ECD centres.

Its logo encapsulates Hosanna Woman’s vision of “Wings to Fly”. As Hosanna Woman enters its eighth year, Ms Gorrie said her vision is to build Ms Nzimakwe’s crèche has been seven years in the making.

“The dream is finally coming to life. Empowering one woman will empower others. That’s the Domino effect: change a life, change a community,” said Ms Gorrie.

She can be contacted at michele@mgcollective.co.za to find out more about how to partner with Hosanna Women’s initiatives.