In 2001, the mining company that had built and operated Bulembu for more than 60 years, closed its doors and walked away. Abandoned by the mining industry, the 10,000 residents soon deserted the town in search of employment. At the same time, the country continued to be ravaged by the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world and the resulting orphan crisis.
Utilizing the infrastructure already in the town, Bulembu is discovering numerous opportunities to build innovative, sustainable and profitable businesses. Each enterprise is a division of the larger charity, with all surplus funds going to support Bulembu Community Care. Current enterprises include, Bulembu Bakery, Bulembu Dairy, Bulembu Honey, Bulembu Timber, Bulembu Tourism (Lodge) and Bulembu Water.
A group of Alpharetta Rotarians are visiting to support Bulembu in March 2017. They are helping to lay a concrete path down the hill in order to ensure the continued delivery of the Bulembu Enterterprises during the rainy season.