Pastors Connect Pietermaritzburg


Pastors Connect is run by four churches in Pietermaritzburg, all of which are led by pastors from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are in South Africa as refugees. Most refugees suffer from extreme poverty, Xenophobia, lack of decent housing and unemployment. There are virtually no opportunities to earn a living and provide for their families.

The long-term goal of Pastors Connect is to see refugees in South Africa supported and empowered spiritually, emotionally and economically to integrate into society, earning a living through securing a job or running a small business.

E3’s partnership:

• Provides a loan fund so pastors can start small businesses by accessing loans that are later paid back at a low interest rate. Many people have the ideas and skills to start a successful business, but it is the lack of start-up capital that prevents them from earning a living.

• Supports 177 needy refugee children with school uniform and shoes each year. E3 also pays for school fees for some children.

• Facilitates gender-based violence workshops for children, youth and adults. In 2023, 70 children and 100 youths attended workshops and Pastors Connect ran a women’s conference.

• Grant from E3: £1,500 (plus uniform purchase)

• E3 sustainability loan of £1,750

Project leaders: Pastor Fabian Bondo, Pastor Francine Konde. 

“I am in Grade 12 at High School. I would like to become a civil engineer because I love building, drawing and creating new things and want to build infrastructure to help people with their everyday life. Thank you for my uniform. I come from a very big family and buying new uniform is a privilege more than a need for most people living in our community. Receiving this uniform has helped ease the burden and pressure from our parents.”

“The uniform that E3 has given me has been a huge help to my mother. My long-term goal is study a degree in business administration. I also hope to learn how to invest in businesses and become a role model for young girls from similar backgrounds to mine. My brother is also happy to have a new uniform. He used to hate wearing old, torn uniform. He is much more confident now.”