About D'kar Trust

The aim of the D’kar Trust is to establish and develop self sustainable self-help projects in the San village of D’kar where there are no formal employment opportunities and few other means of income generation other than livestock. The projects are identified and then the community members are trained in the various aspects of their running. In parallel with specific income generating projects, D’kar Trust also engages with the community on development issues such as information and education on HIV/AIDS, and gender matters. Additionally D’kar Trust has a Cultural Centre for the preservation and promotion of Bushman culture. There is a separate section in this website for the Cultural Centre.

Income Generating Projects

The main projects are: Art Project, Craft Shop, Tannery, Leather Workshop, Fabric Painting, Screen-printing, Hostel and the Dqãe Qare Game Farm. There are separate sections in this website for the Art Project and Dqãe Qare Game Farm.

Tannery, Leather Workshop, Fabric Painting and Screen Printing

These four projects all produce good quality products which are sold through our own craft shop or by San Arts & Crafts, our sister organisation based in Maun which is the Kuru Family of Organisations’ craft wholesale outlet.

Training Centre and Hostel

The Training Centre offers accommodation and conference facilities which are used by a variety of different groups including schools and government workers. It is run as a business and makes a small profit after expenses which to date has been ploughed back into improving the facilities.

Craft Shop

The greater part of the shop serves as a gallery to display the beautiful paintings from the Art Project. The rest of the space displays other artifacts from the D’kar Trust projects as well as the San jewelry and other crafts bought by the shop from producers in the surrounding area. Buying these crafts is one of the most constant sources of income for the communities especially for women and stock is bought for the shop on a weekly basis. Tumku and Nqose are the two ladies who proudly keep this shop in a spick and span condition.

Other Projects

Youth Centre

D’kar Trust made a house available to the youth as a centre to try and create an alternative for them from the shabeens and bars. Some Botswana Work Camp volunteers started activities for the youth which proved very successful but unfortunately after they left there was not enough leadership amongst the youth to carry on on their own. The major need for the youth is to have a youth worker to organise activities for them (especially the girls) and a social worker to work and educate the community especially on HIV related issues.

Livestock Grazing

Recent rainy seasons have been below average in D’kar resulting in many animals dying of hunger from lack of grazing. To keep their animals alive, residents chase their animals into the corridor of the main road to graze on the verges. This is very dangerous as it causes many accidents with loss of lives and animals. Komku and D’kar Trust are looking at options to relieve the grazing problems by starting a Holistic Grazing or Anti Desertification project in D’kar and the settlements.

Utilities

D’kar Trust is responsible for providing water and other services to the D’kar population of at least 1500 people and their animals.