June 2025 Upcycling: Furniture

Dignity by Design: Empowering communities through key initiatives in connecting companies with causes which support: welfare, education, safety, and the environment.

Why is it critical for us to focus on reskilling and educating our communities on work which doesn't harm the environment, work that doesn't exploit workers. Work which improves our local neighbourhoods which we reside in?

Planet Problems

Country level:

Johannesburg is listed as the 2nd most polluted City in South Africa. With our air quality : PM2.5 concentration currently 6.1 times over the World Health Organisations annual PM2.5 guideline value.

2024 South Africa listed as the most polluted City

Community level:

View of current public spaces littered with trash, seeping into the lake and surrounding park areas.

People Problems

The primary research problem revolves around understanding the challenges faced by displaced individuals and the community's perceptions of them. The study aims to identify practical solutions to enhance the living conditions and social integration of these individuals.

Many of the people we've met who are currently unemployed have made it clear that the reasons some of them have ended up living in shetlers is purely because rent is too expensive. We've met lawyers, carpenters, security, writers, poets, production managers, investment bankers, injection moulders, software developers, grandmothers, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, and even a man who has worked on building wings of aeroplanes. All who have just had a rough time, especially after COVID with losing employment and being unable to cover the costs of housing.

Community Research aligns to Stats SA information below:

2022 Stats on displaced people who are roofless vs shelters

Infor taken from StatsSA

8 out of 10 homess persons (79,9%) were roofless, with (20,1%) living in shetlers. 2022. source: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=18158

66,3% of the homeless population list economic factos as the main cause of homelessness. in 2022 source: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=18158

Persons without a form of shelter and no known residential address, total 55 719 in 2022. source: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=18158

Profit (employment) Problems

Did you know...?

SA will lose 5.7 million jobs if not digitally ready in 7 years. With 35 percent of all jobs in South Africa (almost 5.7 million jobs) currently being at risk of total digital automation within a mere 7 years  -2022

We are already seeing many roles becoming redundant due to automation and generative ai. Some aren't able to to move in the digital direction to keep up, when basics like access to internet or a mobile device aren't available, let alone a roof over their heads. In the last 3 months, we have found 17 people (from mother, father, grandparents, sons and daughters), who are actively seeking employment with a variety of amazing skills as listed above in the section labelled "People Problems". Their existing skills are perfect for integrating with other digital skilled team members to create unimaginable relevant solutions for today, as well as future ready solutions. We have been lucky enough to find the people in our community who want to join our movement of upcycling in order to reduce the amount of waste by ensuring all we repair, restore or recreate has greater value than when it was thrown or given away. Thank you to everyone who has joined in support of this project.

Research Methodology

Qualitative methods, including informal semi-structured interviews with community members, local leaders, and stakeholders, along with participatory design thinking workshops with local residents/team members. This approach aims to foster collaboration and generate actionable solutions to the identified issues

Project Objectives

1. No Poverty, No homelessness, Reduced inequalities. Support for vulnerable individuals and families

2. Good health and wellbeing, Safer, greener and improved spaces which inspire our kids

3. Quality education, decent work and economic Upliftment through skills training and mentorship

   
   
   
   

Recommended Solutions: Project Overview

Current skilled members seeking employment

Based on the last 3 months, we now have numerous skilled members who are volunteering their time to work with us, while we seek employment for them. If you are looking for skills in caregiving/nannies, production, injection moulding, carpentry, lawyers to name a few, reach out directly and we'll help find the right person for your project. Contact: info@xedri.com

Assistance request

Currently there are 5 ladies living on the streets who are urgently seeking employment and shelter. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated to help move these ladies to a place of safety. Contact: info@xedri.com