About Us

Who we are

Lima Rural Development Foundation, established in 1989, is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation. Lima provides a sustainable and integrated rural development service to rural communities through the establishment of appropriate institutions, local economic development and training, to empower rural people, particularly women, in their own efforts to overcome poverty.

Our vision and mission

Lima promotes dignified, sustainable and transformative community growth across South Africa and into the African continent. We support the development of people and livelihoods together in places where resources are scarce, particularly in rural areas. Through well-integrated, field-based work, Lima uses local economic development and strong local institutions to reduce poverty and build skills.

We believe an inclusive development process is critical for lasting change in rural and farming communities. We make sure marginalised people are included, not only in development programmes but in the mainstream economy. We build strong partnerships between many sectors and disadvantaged communities to support the long-term empowerment of rural people.

Part of our mission is to understand the causes of South Africa's chronic malnutrition crisis, through household vulnerability surveys and support to mothers, in consultation with rural clinics and the Department of Health.

Our approach

Any development programme that lasts needs proper community consultation and planning. When communities are properly engaged, the programme is owned, supported and driven by the community itself.

Central to our track record is the consultation and community engagement process Lima has refined over the years. This includes Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), a bottom-up, community-led planning method developed in India in the 1970s. PRA workshops bring the community together, involve stakeholders, introduce the programme, and identify and rank the development priorities we can support.

We place Community Development Facilitators inside the communities we work with. The work is hands on and led by the people we serve. Relationships are built, voices are heard and trust is earned. Over the last 25 years, an average of 100 facilitators at a time have worked as agents of change in poor communities. Because of this proven method and our willingness to learn from the people we serve, Lima is a trusted partner for funders and communities alike.

Over time Lima has developed practical systems, skills and training methods that open new livelihood opportunities for rural people. These include rural water supply and housing, labour-based roads, smallholder irrigation, land reform processes, community volunteers, rangeland management, school and sanitation design, digital surveys and monitoring systems, and community-led development.

Common questions