Poverty, poor health, and lack of education and job opportunities hold them back. Now HIV/AIDS is having a profoundly negative impact upon all communities.

Malnourishment makes people more vulnerable to infections, shortens life expectancy, and impairs children mentally and physically.

Growing vegetables, fruit and herbs in community or school gardens has been shown to develop communities, reduce malnutrition, improve the environment and generate income.

Since the end of apartheid in South Africa, a new optimism has emerged amongst very poor communities.

Many have made special efforts to establish self-help schemes.