From Hello to Happy Birthday!

Posted May 17, 2013

Afrika Tikkun's Special Gift from Vodacom -Change the World

My first day at Afrika Tikkun started off with a bang! KFC Add Hope donated R 1 650 000 to help feed the children for a year in 4 centers  2 in Gauteng Province, Orange Farm and Diepsloot and 2 in the Western Cape, Delft and Mfuleni. The guests were welcomed by a presentation from the Diepsloot ECD beneficiaries, followed by a tour of the center  which was really impressive. The best part though has to be the children themselves. After a really cute rendition of the national anthem (and they knew all the words too!)- They proceeded to explain what the colours of the South African flag stand for, along with a sweet poem by one of the girls. You cannot help but be amazed by these children from the onset. 



The second day was even better. It was my birthday and I was looking forward to a tour of greater Johannesburg and the remaining three centers  namely Orange Farm: Arekopaneng Community Center  Braamfontein: Uthando Community Centre and Alexandra: Phutaditjaba Community Center  The day kicked off with a surprise in the boardroom where everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me and off we went. Taina - Afrika Tikkun’s Gauteng Donor Relations Officer was kind enough to be my tour guide and drove me around for the day. All the centers have classrooms, kitchens (and dining halls), media centers and libraries. Three centers  except for Braamfontein have sports halls where the children play, and the older children from the communities can also gym.

The drive to Orange Farm was quite enjoyable- open road, good company and snacks- plus all the birthday messages and calls. Orange Farm on a warm morning is just beautiful- the center staff were very friendly, some cooking, some cleaning, some just getting through the last bit of the week’s work; but all very welcoming and happy to see us. Orange Farm, unlike the other centers has a classroom for children with special needs. The caretaker advised us that some of the local women in the community were inspired by the services offered at Afrika Tikkun and have started their own crèche- looking after some of the special needs children in the community. What also differs about Orange Farm, is that they have a Youth Friendly health center where people from the community (especially young people) can come in to have HIV testing discreetly.

Friday was the first time I have been to Alex, and it was quite an eye opener to the way people live- and they are right on our doorstep, with the center providing a soothing shelter from the harsh realities, even for the elderly. The Alex center has a special elderly program; catering for the large number of elderly people living in the township; who try to get by with their monthly meagre pension payout. The Afrika Tikkun center provides extra support by means of food parcels, activities and a general sense of community.

The Braamfontein center has a very special story behind it. It was once a hospital (Transvaal Memorial Institute (TMI)), but was abandoned because of the poisonous blue asbestos used in the building. With the help of Afrika Tikkun’s visionary leaders, they renovated the building and converted it into one of Afrika Tikkun’s Center of Excellence. They moved their Hillbrow center to the current one, which is conveniently situated opposite Constitutional Hill. A bus has also been provided for children who do not stay close to the new center. Each center has something different to it, in Orange Farm it was the special needs ECD classroom and a Youth Friendly HIV Testing Clinic; in Alex it was the elderly center and in Braamfontein a sewing center for the local ladies- (which I loved, and can very much see myself going for some lessons), where they are trained to sew their own clothes and also as an income generating project. One of the ladies even made a beautiful grey coat for winter.

I am very proud to be associated with such a diverse NPO, the work they do is truly inspiring. I am grateful for having this opportunity to be a part of their ongoing story in helping those lovable children achieve more in life.

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Dream Come True: 2013 Las Vegas Safelite Triathlon

Posted May 07, 2013

Karabo, Kgaugelo and Njabulo's story of their Safelite Las Vegas Triathlon Experience
All summed into one story as this was the realisation of our dreams together

I knew that I was travelling to the United States of America on the 17th of April, to participate in the Triathlon event, which was going to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
When the day came, I thought I was dreaming, but hey, I found myself seating in the airplane with a safety belt on my waist. We were a team, Karabo was going to cycle 20 km, Kgaugelo was swimming 750 meters and Njabulo was running 5 km, in a foreign land I have never been to and yet so yearned to see. Now all this was a reality and I was living this reality.

Our first stop in the USA was in Atlanta, where we caught our connection flight to Las Vegas, and on arrival we were fetched by a Limousine to the Lewis Lake Hotel. This was just surreal, living like the rich and famous for the first time in my life. We were welcomed to a team dinner at the Barbecue Restaurant and the food was really delicious. We even forgot we were exhausted from the long hours flights we had taken and only felt it when I slid into the luxurious bed of a 5 Star Hotel. 

The following morning we had breakfast, and went to play tennis with our coach, Mr. Thomas Taole, who gave us a thorough lashing on the tennis court. In the afternoon we went to collect our race packs and Karabo was given his bike, which he took for a test ride. In the evening everyone assembled at the hotel lobby where we were all introduced officially to everyone. This was indeed a dream we did not want to wake up from, as it was from one amazing event to the next. We enjoyed mingling with the people from a diverse culture and backgrounds, yet with one goal, of participating in the triathlon to help underprivileged communities develop.


On the day of the event, we left the hotel at 6a.m., for the first time everything was done on time, really showed we were outside Africa… We were all proud of ourselves when we completed our different disciplines and felt like champions. After the race we had our breakfast and free time until 17h30, were we took a walk and explored Las Vegas...wow! That city is beautiful, I could not believe my eyes! We had a VIP reception at the team dinner and Matt Wager, chair of the Safelite® Challenge committee gave feedback about the day’s event and issued medals to the participants. Karabo was given the chance to share what came from the team’s hearts and the other youth we had left back in South Africa.

I am an Achiever and Not a Dreamer 

Thank you Safelite AutoGlass® for being a piece of puzzle that completes me 
I never thought that one day I would fly; 
I always viewed a life with limitations, 
but you made me believe in myself and know that everything is possible, if I put my mind to it 
You changed my mindset and made me believe that my destination in life is not defined by where I am from, 
but where I am going 

Today it’s a dream come true, 
I have walked on the land of the USA 
Today I live with hope of making a better tomorrow, 
Through living today with a purpose not by chance, 
To help, make the world a better place through hard work, dedication and a Never Faint attitude 
Not forgetting that God is my source of strength 
Some say, ‘the sky is the limit’, but I say, ‘the sky is not the limit and heaven is my witness’ 

Thank you for making my memory of a life time, 
For granting me the opportunity to live beyond my expectations 
Planting a seed of knowledge, 
Continuing to sprinkle it with love, 
Patiently nurturing its growth, 
To produce tomorrow’s dreams
(The poem can also be accessed on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRiFAy8RURU&feature=youtu.be)


On our last day, we had breakfast at Omelet House and went on a tour of the Hoover Dam, wow!!! This was a marvelous experience. Matt and Brian took us to Hoover Dam Store and they bought us a lot of stuff we wanted. Karabo always refers to the tshirt they bought for him as a treasure which reminds him of the family from another continent, that cares for the African youth. 

Later, Mr. Steve Parker, Safelite AutoGlass® Las Vegas General Manager, took Karabo and Njabulo for a ride on the Harley-Davidson. This was our first ride on the Harley and the experience was just out of this world…kind of gave us an idea of how to spend our weekends when we older and can afford to get one. At night we had dinner at the Stratosphere, a tower, hotel and casino located on Las Vegas Boulevard just north of the Las Vegas Strip. This was beyond our expectations, especially being on the tallest observation tower and actually having dinner in a room that was rotating while giving us the best view of the city. 


Written by Karabo Seduma, Kgaugelo Kubayi & Njabulo Nkonyane
Compiled by Trevor P. Molife

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International Women's Day - Diepsloot Wings of Life

Bringing Services to the People

It is beyond disturbing to realise that, by the time you have finished reading this blog, at least two women will have been raped in South Africa. On average, a woman is raped every four minutes in South Africa. Afrika Tikkun as an organisation working on community development could not ignore the fact that a greater number of these occurrences happen in the areas we operate in. Together with 1st for Women the Gender Based Violence programme was started in Diepsloot in 2012. Afrika Tikkun’s aim to empower communities to develop new generations of productive citizens is achieved through the implementation of a holistic development model. Nurturing the family is one of the 5 core services of the development model.

Friday 8 March was International Women’s day. Afrika Tikkun South Africa and the world over joined hands in commemorating this day. Afrika Tikkun in partnership with SANCA, POWA, 1st for Women, Webber Wentzel and twenty one other organisations, hosted a one of a kind event, called Bringing Services to the People. The event reached out to survivors of abuse, women and children in the Diepsloot community to raise awareness about abuse and to send the message that help is available through organisations such as Afrika Tikkun and its partners. The recent events that occurred in the world, ranging from the 2012 Delhi gang rape, followed by the rape and murder of Anene Booysen in the Western Cape and the valentine’s murder of Reeva Steenkamp, brought with them a different outlook on the day that was almost irrelevant in South Africa. Steenkamp campaigned actively against domestic violence and a day before her death she tweeted in support of Black Friday which was on the 15th of February. People dressed in black to show that they were against rape and women abuse. Sadly a day after Steenkamp tweeted, she was killed.

The Gender Based Violence programme came just at the right time and the International Women’s Day event at Diepsloot also made a difference to the lives of many women in Diepsloot. One of the attendees shared that, with the knowledge of the services around her, she now knows where to go to if she fell victim to abuse or has one of her community members being victimised. Some of the attendees of the event, shared words that are still echoing in my ears,
 

“I have learnt an important lesson today, to always go and knock at my neighbours door when I hear noise of a woman screaming, who knows how many women are killed or raped, every time we give a deaf ear.”

“Listening to women like mama Sibongile Mkhabela has empowered a large number of us who thought we are just second class citizens in a men’s world”

“It is not every day that women are celebrated in our society and today Afrika Tikkun has shown us that we are also important beings and there are many organisations such as Afrika Tikkun, which are there to safeguard our rights and empower us to empower ourselves. Siyabonga.”

I can gladly conclude that the day brought with it a great change in many of the women who attended the event at the Afrika Tikkun center in Diepsloot. They were educated on the options available to them and their peers, at no cost. It is also hoped that it will bring with it a new generation of men in South Africa who can eradicate the world’s view of South Africa being the world’s Rape Capital, to a nation of loving and caring men. 


For a video preview of the events of the day click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjYxXJdPvII&feature=youtu.be 

By: Trevor P. Molife

Marketing Assistant

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EOH Creates a Meaningful Partnership with Afrika Tikkun

The meeting was opened with an endearing act from a group of pre-school children attending the Early Childhood Development programme at the Afrika Tikkun Uthando Community centre. They shared the activities they did during the day, which they followed by singing the national anthem. Personally I was amazed to hear the children singing all the parts of the national anthem clearly. It took me back to a research article I read on the number of South Africans who are unable to sing all the different language parts in the national anthem. This gave me hope of a better South African generation to be raised from these young ones. The revelation left most of us in the room with smiles on our faces, proving that Afrika Tikkun and EOH, as well as many of our partners are indeed making a difference in the lives of our tomorrow generation.

Mr. Asher Bohbot EOH’s CEO, started his speech with a reference to a study that was carried out in the US in 2011, which proved that it is impossible to increase profits without adopting a strong dose of social responsibility. In following this principal he spoke of how serious EOH is about job creation as part of their transformation programme. This incorporates their job creation initiative, which is led by Kedibone Sehume (Public Relations & Job Creation Initiative Manager) who works with their customers and technology partners to bring offshore jobs back to South Africa and to train young people. Currently EOH is also supporting 13 schools in southern Johannesburg, promoting and enhancing the critical areas of numeracy and natural science. EOH is spending significantly on training and internships for school leavers and graduates. Their aim is to take in a total of 600 people per annum for training and internship, with the aim of giving them skills so they can enter the workplace. This is also an area which Afrika Tikkun is venturing into as we recently launched a Skills Development programme at our Arekopaneng Community Centre in Orange Farm. Marc Lubner CEO of Afrika Tikkun said “a partnership with EOH contributes towards the Afrika Tikkun model of developing a child from “cradle to career” resulting in future productive citizen.

EOH staff also had a chance to interact and talk to Afrika Tikkun’s staff and beneficiaries at Uthando Community Centre. Then it was all wrapped up with a photo session of Afrika Tikkun and EOH staff proudly standing in front of the EOH signage at the centre, holding our partnership cheque.

“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher












By Trevor P. Molife 

Marketing Assistant

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Special Valentines Gift for our Orange Farm Child and Youth Development Programme (CYDP)

Skills Development Programme Launch at Arekopaneng 

The Skills Development programme started as a THOUGHT and today Afrika Tikkun is reaping the benefits, made possible through our partnership with Webber Wentzel, HSBC and our various donors. The objective of the Skills Development Programme is to equip the youth with job readiness skills as well as assisting them to find employment.


On the 14th of February 2013, Valentine’s day, the skills development programme was launched at Arekopaneng. Attending the event were, Mr. Marc Lubner(CEO), Afrika Tikkun staff from Hyde Park and Uthando, New Beginnings, National Youth Development Agency, DIY Depot and two of our CYDP job creation success stories, who are now employed by DIY. The partnership between DIY Depot and Afrika Tikkun has seen 30 of our CYDP youth finding employment in the company within the past two months. DIY Depot also gave a donation of R20,000 to Afrika Tikkun at the event.

Some amazing local talent was also showcased from a singing group known as The Sentinentals, which Zweli Dlomo our Skills Development Coordinator is part of, and they showered the crowd with their astounding melodies.

The whole event was wrapped up with a finger lickin lunch prepared by the CYDP beneficiaries and the kitchen staff.



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Wear the Afrika Tikkun Jersey and Ride for a purpose

The 94.7 Cycle Challenge is nearly upon us! We hope everyone registered is feeling race fit.

The Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge encourages all cyclists to Ride for a Purpose and make a difference. The Ride for a Purpose campaign reflects the principles of Lead SA, which calls on South Africans to stand up, do the right thing and make a difference. It’s up to you which particular cause you wish to support…

If you, or someone you know, are riding but haven’t nominated a charity to ride for it’s not too late – we’d love to have you as part of the Afrika Tikkun team. This year the Afrika Tikkun are working together to raise enough money to send 1,300 to an Early Development Centre.

So come and be part of the fun and help change the life of a child in need.

info@afrikatikkun.org or contact Amanda on 011 325 5914 

Have a look at our cool team jersey, sponsored by Mpact

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Cockatoo Island Event

“ As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Nelson Mandela Chief Patron, Afrika Tikkun   

Cockatoo Island Event

Thank you so much to all our supporters who recently attended the “Unsung Heroes” fundraising event on Cockatoo Island in Sydney. It was lovely to see you there! For those who couldn’t make it, I’d like to just share what was a fabulous and unique night out.

Originally intended as a visual experience to accompany a photographic book, Unsung Heroes, The Documentary is not a story about poverty, but rather showcases a nation of children eager for opportunity. As the journey unfolded, the inspiring film brought tears to the eyes of an engaged and supportive audience of 200.

This behind-the-scenes documentary was produced to follow international children’s photographer Luca Zordan and the book/film’s producer Alethea Gold, as they traveled across South Africa to shoot their (second in a charity series) photographic book: Children of South Africa. As you might know, the book was launched in conjunction with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and then several events were hosted around the world to raise funds from the book for Afrika Tikkun’s Sports Program. Over 3,000 books have now been sold or distributed.

After the screening, the humbled crowd, joined by singer Leo Sayer and South African High Commissioner Her Excellency Ms Koleka Mqulwana, enjoyed an after-party at Biloela Heritage House on the island, overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour. The event was a huge success thanks to Alethea Gold and her amazing team. As one of the two beneficiaries of donations and other funds received at Cockatoo Island, we are extremely grateful once again for the support Alethea Gold has offered Afrika Tikkun.  Thank you so much Alethea!

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Be inspired

South African’s are generous in spirit. It’s always humbling to witness the amazing work of individuals dedicated to making a positive difference to our beautiful country. But every now and again you hear of one particular story which touches you, like that of Thabisa Dube.

Thabisa is only 8 years old, but she is one gutsy, special little girl, wise beyond her years. Thabisa is riding the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge to raise funds to send vulnerable children to an Afrika Tikkun Early Childhood Development Centre. She wants to give other children the opportunities in life that a good education brings. She recognises how lucky she is to go to a good school and cares about kids who desperately need this opportunity.


Thabisa started off with the goal of sending 10 children to an Early Childhood Development Centre, and through her tenacity quickly achieved this (R21,600). Now she wants to raise R50,000 and has already passed the R30,000 mark. We’re amazed at what this little dynamo has achieved and so thrilled to have her as part of the Afrika Tikkun family.


Thank you Thabisa!

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Uthando Centre a true symbol of what Afrika Tikkun stands for

Afrika Tikkun's Uthando Centre in Braampark, Johannesburg


I recently had the opportunity to see the work that has been done at Afrika Tikkun’s Uthando Centre in Braamfontein, and to attend the official opening of the centre.

My involvement was essentially based on the writing of an article for the press on the refurbishment of the old Transvaal Memorial Hospital for Children – a wing of which has been revamped to house the Uthando Centre, which previously operated from Hillbrow but had outgrown its premises. With my interest being very much centred on the built environment, it was great to research the history of the old hospital – which is a heritage building – and to find out how it had been refurbished and converted. 




This proved to be only part of the experience, though. Of course, there was a wonderful symbolism and connection between past and present evident in the entire project. A building which was conceived with the intention of looking after children could once again fulfil this function. Its position on Constitution Hill, which holds meaning in its own right, also seemed appropriate. But it was more than that. 

The re-worked building that is now Afrika Tikkun's Uthando CentreI visited the centre once before its official launch, and attended the launch itself – but it was only through my contact with the people involved that I came to realise that the Uthando Centre is really a symbol in many ways for what Afrika Tikkun stands for as an organisation. The people involved have put their hearts and souls into this project – not just the core team at Afrika Tikkun, but the entire professional team involved in renovating the old hospital and a whole collection of others, too.

When CEO Marc Lubner spoke at the opening ceremony, he said that when his father, Bertie Lubner, and the late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris started Afrika Tikkun, it was because they felt they could not stand idly by and see people in the new democratic South Africa – for which many had made sacrifices – suffer because of past injustices. Communities were without leaders, without resources and without the means to address the problem. 

People who had every right to access opportunities and to pursue their dreams (in theory) were unable to do so because they were trapped in a cycle of poverty and deprivation. Afrika Tikkun was founded with the goal of fixing that. 

I looked up the word ‘tikkun’ and found that it comes from the Hebrew verb meaning ‘to fix’ or ‘to repair’. Moreover, it appears that it sometimes carries a deeper spiritual connotation related to repairing the world or repairing the spirit. What more inspiring goal could one have than that? What better place to start than with the children who are the future of this country?
 

It is no small job to try and right the wrongs of the past, but this organisation has committed to making a start in as many places as it can – places where help is most needed – and it is making a real difference. 

The sheer passion for pursuing that goal came through so strongly at the Uthando Centre launch, and the positive energy exuded by the children and youth I encountered there must surely be evidence that they have real hope for the future. 

It is through tremendous generosity (financial, certainly – but I mean generosity of spirit which encompasses everything from donating money to volunteering) and a strong commitment to fixing the things in society that most need it that Afrika Tikkun has achieved what it has to date. 

It was such a powerful reminder to me that generosity costs one nothing really, and that visions can be realised if one commits to pursuing them. And in the midst of a recession and a time in SA’s history where the news is not always pleasant, an experience like this proved to me that there is always good news to be found somewhere. Even better, it is possible to be inspired!

Article written by Claire Cole, Director of In Writing Communications  

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Hunter Valley Winery Run

  

CONGRATULATIONS! Our team entered the Hunter Valley Winery Run last Sunday and raised nearly $1,000 for Afrika Tikkun, while having a HUGE amount of fun ... (and just a couple of sore and achy bones!). Many thanks to Richard, Ryan and David and all the team for their dedication and commitment to Afrika Tikkun. Not long now till Sydney Running Festival guys! :-)

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From Hello to Happy Birthday!

Afrika Tikkun's Special Gift from Vodacom -Change the World My first...
Dream Come True: 2013 Las Vegas Safelite Triathlon

Karabo, Kgaugelo and Njabulo's story of their Safelite Las Vegas Triathlon...

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