The Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP) has been nominated for the 2007 Conrad N Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’ largest humanitarian international award.

The $1,5million Hilton Humanitarian Prize was established by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to honor charitable or non-governmental organizations that has made extraordinary contributions towards alleviating human suffering. After a thorough review process, the recipient is selected by an independent international jury, who will formally announce the winner.

TVEP’s Director, Ms Fiona Nicholson, said the nomination is a true reflection that they are doing a good work in the communities. "We welcomed the news of our nomination for the international award and we are confident that we will shine above the whole world."

She explained how her organization was formed: "TVEP was conceived in 1997 when the Thohoyandou Community Policing Forum, together with the SAPS, initiated the establishment of a Victim Empowerment Committee (VEC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Crime Strategy. With seed funding from the Department of Health, the SAPS and local businesses, the first One Stop Trauma Centre was opened in 2001. The committee was registered as the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Trust in January 2002, with provision for a range of stakeholders co-opted as trustees. The programme is now managed by a team of 26 staff members and 46 local volunteers. Voluntary Service Overseas and US Peace Corps have each provided us with resource volunteers, who assist in the building of in-house capacity."

According to her, their programme covers the Thulamela Municipality, with a population of 585 000 (census 2001). It accommodates one regional and two district hospitals, 48 clinics, 3 health centers, 7 police stations and more than 500 crèches. Since opening their first trauma center in 2001, they have assisted over 40 rape and 80 domestic violence survivors every month. 58% of all rape survivors are children and 38% are under the age of 13. "We offer support services like Trauma Centres, Access to justice, positive support services and safe house service."

TVEP’s campaigns coordinator, Rendani Ligudu, explains some of the empowerment services of the organization: "We have various projects which include the Community Campaigns and Workshops, Zero Tolerance Village Alliance, Help Desks, Young Perpetrator Programme and Outreach projects. At the Help Desks, volunteer advisors are based at nine rural clinics to promote the Break-the-Silence ethic, identify orphans and vulnerable children, facilitate access to social grants and report abuse."